The future mothers staying in the Chisinau-based Municipal Hospital No. 1 were informed by the institution’s specialists about the effects of alcohol on the fetus and the subsequent development of the child within the international campaign “Too young to drink”. Specialized organizations in over 30 countries transmitted a similar message on September 9, IPN reports.
Elena Vorotneac, spokeswoman for the Chisinau General Division of Education, Youth and Sport, which is the event’s partner, said the goal of the campaign is to prevent the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by informing the future mothers about the damage caused by alcohol.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Dumitru Siscanu said the persons who want to have a child must give up drinking alcohol. The woman must not drink alcohol during pregnancy and while breastfeeding too. The doctor voiced hope that the women who took part in this informative event will become messengers in their community, among their relatives and friends, so that an increasing number of people become aware of the dangers.
Neuropediatrician Iulia Gavriluta said the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the most serious consequence of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. This syndrome includes congenital defects that remain for life. Among these are speech and visual impairments, renal and cardiac malformations and behavioral disorders. The children with such a syndrome develop with delay and have congenital abnormalities such as a very thin upper lip and small eyes.
The children with the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome need special schools and social and medical assistance throughout life. Svetlana Gorea, head of the General Division of Education’s Psycho-socio-pedagogical Center, said the problems faced by the children from the risk group, whose parents drank or drink alcohol, are very serious. Not many parents realize how much the child suffers. These suffer from the moment they are taken to the nursery school, where they are marginalized. The future mothers can prevent such a situation by leading a healthy lifestyle, without alcohol, drugs and other vices.
