Hundreds of children were hospitalised last year after being born brain damaged because their mothers boozed while pregnant.
There were 272 hospital admissions of youngsters left disabled by Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, figures from the official Health and Social Care Information Centre show.
Experts believe this number, from England alone in the past 12 months, is the tip of the iceberg of undiagnosed cases.
Admissions: 272 youngsters were hospitalised after their mums boozed during pregnancy
World Health Organisation research suggests at least one in 100 babies – the equivalent to about 7,500 – are born in the UK affected by their mother’s drinking every year.
Elizabeth Mitchell, of the National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, told the Sunday People: “Children born with the syndrome don’t get better. They are brain damaged and it can’t be cured.
“It is an enormous problem and one that is terribly sad and vastly under-diagnosed.
”Risk: Drinking while pregnant is not advisable
Babies exposed to alcohol in the womb can suffer learning, behavioural and physical problems such as deformed limbs and facial features.
Other signs include hearing and sight loss, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and problems with the liver, kidneys and heart.
The Government advises pregnant women not to drink alcohol. But if they do, to only have up to two units of alcohol no more than twice a week.
Ms Mitchell said people often unwittingly exceed limits or drink their quota in one go.
She added: “That’s very dangerous. Binge-drinking can do heavy damage. We want the guidance changed to advise women not to drink at all in pregnancy. It’s only nine months, why take the risk?”
The title of this post feels like blaming and shaming of birth moms. Perhaps posts should have an introduction to explain where the post comes from and give some context.
I didn’t even go further to read the article because of the title of the post.
Carie
Thank you for your comment. Yes, we should have added an intro and also referenced the article in the beginning. EFAN does not shame or blame birth moms.