A quarter of adults aged between 18 and 25 are unaware that women should not drink alcohol during pregnancy, according to a survey of 2,000 Britons.
A staggering 26 percent admitted they did not know that official guidance states that a woman, if pregnant, should avoid alcohol entirely.
Just 17 percent of the young adults correctly identified alcohol exposure in utero as causing more long-term harm to a baby than other substances such as heroin.
Only 26 per cent of 18-25 year-olds were aware that official guidance states that a woman, if pregnant, should avoid alcohol entirely (stock)
Almost half (49 per cent) of 18-25 year-olds polled said they get information on alcohol in pregnancy from social media while four in ten discussed it with a teacher.
The research was carried out by the National Organisation for FASD (Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).
Sandra Butcher, chief executive of the British arm of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS-UK), said: ‘Information is power. It is deeply concerning that so few young people are aware of the dangers.
Almost half (49 percent) of 18-25 year-olds polled said they get information on alcohol in pregnancy from social media while four in ten discussed it with a teacher (stock)
‘Alcohol exposure in pregnancy risks more life-long impact on a developing brain and body than heroin. FASD is preventable – no alcohol, no risk.’
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However, the study did find that 22 per cent could identify that the acronym FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
FASD is the lifelong, brain-based condition that can result from exposure to alcohol in the womb.
This can cause physical deformities (notably the eyes can be set far apart, and a large forehead and thin upper lip can develop) as well as disability.
Around 6,000 to 7,000 babies are thought to be born in the UK every year with foetal alcohol syndrome, according to the charity Mencap.
Babies with severe foetal alcohol syndrome may have learning difficulties, behaviour problems or even develop cerebral palsy.
Studies have shown that FASD is more prevalent than autism but it is widely misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
Health and social care lecturer Jo Buckard, an expert in FASD, said: ‘There’s been progress but no one should rest easy with these figures.
‘If one-quarter of those in childbearing years hasn’t got the message yet, that could lead to a massive risk of FASD.
‘Add to that the fact that during this lockdown it’s harder to get access to contraceptives and pregnancy tests, it’s a perfect storm for a possible future upsurge in FASD.’
Sandra Butcher, chief executive, NOFAS-UK, added: ‘We hope schools and community groups will get behind this initiative.
‘Young people need to know why this matters.
‘Adults have missed the mark on this for so long, we believe once they have the facts the next generation will be the one to stop this preventable, hidden epidemic.’
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