Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: health professionals lack information

Associations prevention of alcoholism and addiction have lamented the lack of information from health professionals about fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

Several prevention associations have responded to the result of the order by the prosecutor of Lille a preliminary investigation into the failure to inform pregnant women of the dangers of alcohol for their child.

Three women affected by fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) initiated a complaint procedure to report the lack of information they consider themselves on the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

In a statement, the National Association for the Prevention of Alcoholism and addiction (ANPAA) hopes "that finally this case will attract public attention on this major public health problem." The French Federation of addiction (FFA) also believes that "it is a very good thing that justice takes it."

Free association life for healing and promotion of victims of alcoholism and the fight against the causes greet "courage."

Asked by Reuters Health, Benoit Fleury, Vice President of ANPAA believes that there is an information deficit syndrome.

"Health professionals are not sufficiently informed and we do not have sufficient means to disseminate information among pregnant women," he says. A lack of knowledge is also found among physicians in this field.

"I know health professionals who do not know what fetal alcohol syndrome," he says.

In its statement, the ANPAA welcomed as part of the Public Health Act, an implementation of prevention campaigns SAF is provided, as well as education and training on the risks for health professionals .

The priority work at general practitioners, gynecologists and midwives is performed inadequately by Benoît Fleury. Few women between 30 and 50 years have this problem and this would justify investigation, he says.

The National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES) has organized an information campaign targeted to women and health professionals advocating total abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy.

In addition, the Vice-President said ANPAA side "taboo" of alcohol in France. "There is much talk of rubella, toxoplasmosis, but about alcohol, health professionals tell us that this is more difficult to address."

This is a problem of representation in society, he analysis, comparing France to the United States where the SAF is known and easily addressed. "In France, we look through those who do not drink as much as one who drinks too much."

The French Federation of addiction (FFA) said, meanwhile, that treatment centers Outpatient Alcoholism exist or 250 in France but if in theory they are open to all, including people seeking the information centers are overwhelmed by those who suffer from alcohol dependence problems.

"We can certainly improve medical information to patients," admits its president, Alain Morel.

The ANPAA also regretted the lack of information on alcohol labels. The Minister of Health is committed Thursday during a press conference to impose health warnings on alcohol bottles especially for pregnant women.