News Release

1996-72
October 16, 1996

Joint statement on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects released

OTTAWA - Health Minister David Dingwall and the President of the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dr. Pierre Beaudry, today released the Joint Statement: Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) in Canada, which will help health professionals reduce the risk of FAS and FAE in Canada.

"FAS has been widely recognized in Canada as one of the leading causes of preventable birth defects and developmental delay in children. This joint statement provides relevant and factual information to guide health professionals in the treatment and counselling of women, their partners and families with respect to alcohol intake during pregnancy," said Minister Dingwall.

"This statement addresses alcohol abuse issues and reflects the priority that Health Canada places on healthy child development as a key determinant of health," said Minister Dingwall.

Nineteen national associations representing medical, nursing and midwifery disciplines, aboriginal and multicultural groups, and other organizations known for their extensive work in the area of FAS, developed and support the joint statement on the prevention of FAS/FAE.

As there is no definitive information regarding a safe quantity of alcohol use during pregnancy, the statement's recommendations are based on the fact that "the prudent choice for women who are or may become pregnant is to abstain from alcohol".

"The Canadian Paediatric Society is delighted to have coordinated the efforts of many organizations that helped to develop this joint statement," said Dr. Pierre Beaudry. "We strongly urge health care professionals who work with expectant parents to use the recommendations to help convey the message about FAS/FAE. We hope these recommendations will establish the standard of practice in Canada."

Copies of the joint statement are available from the Publications Unit, Health Canada at (613) 954-5995.

Attachment: Background Information on FAS/FAE

Joint statement on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects released
Monique Renaud-Gagné/Michael O'Neill
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588

Mary-Anne McPhee
Canadian Paediatric Society
(613) 738-3945

Public Inquiries:
(613) 957-2991

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), is a medical diagnosis that refers to a set of alcohol- related disabilities associated with the use of alcohol during pregnancy.
• FAS is the leading cause of developmental delay in Canada and North America. In addition, FAS children may suffer from a wide variety of physical and behavioral effects. One-fifth of FAS children have difficulty sleeping and are hyperactive. Many have severe learning disabilities and are often dyslexic. Congenital heart problems are more common than in normal babies, as are genital-urinary problems. There is an increased incidence of spina bifida, hip dislocation and delayed skeletal maturation.
• Possible fetal alcohol effects (FAE) indicates that alcohol is being considered as one of the possible causes of a child's birth defects. This term is used to describe children with prenatal exposure to alcohol, but only some FAS characteristics.
• It is estimated that one to three children in every 1,000 in industrialized countries will be born with FAS. The rate may be several times higher for children born with possible FAE. There are no statistics regarding the extent of FAS/FAE in Canada.
• As there is no definitive information regarding a safe quantity of alcohol use during pregnancy, the Statement's recommendations are based on the fact that "the prudent choice for women who are or may become pregnant is to abstain from alcohol".
• However, health professionals should inform women who have consumed small amounts of alcohol occasionally during pregnancy that the risk is likely minimal. Health professionals should inform mothers that stopping anytime will have benefits for both fetus and mother.
• In June, 1992, the Standing Committee on Health and Welfare, Social Affairs, Seniors and the Status of Women released its report, "Foetal Alcohol Syndrome, A Preventable Tragedy". Since then, Health Canada has undertaken a number of activities to assist health care professionals identify and implement prevention strategies that will reduce the incidence of FAS/ FAE. These include:
  • sponsoring the 1992 Symposium on FAS/FAE held in Vancouver;
  • integrating FAS/FAE prevention strategies into existing programs within Health Canada's broader work around children and families and substance abuse;
  • producing and distributing public awareness materials such as the pamphlet "Alcohol and Pregnancy" and a video entitled, "Un drame évitable";
  • providing partial funding to "FAS: Saskatchewan Perspective", Conference held in Saskatoon, October 13-15, 1993;
  • funding the FAS/FAE Research Workshop on Priorities, Problems and Strategies, held in Halifax, October 29-30, 1993;
  • funding the National FAS "Train the Trainer Working Conference", Vancouver, March 11-13, 1994 to consider the feasibility of using a train-the-trainer approach to develop regionally and culturally-sensitive FAS programs;
  • funding a working group to develop a health providers' manual on FAS/FAE for Aboriginal communities;
  • providing partial funding to the "Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Pregnancy: Issues for Families and Communities - A National Conference to Address FAS and NAS (Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome)" held in Vancouver, June 3-4, 1994 (where the results of a recent study of alcohol consumption of pregnant women on Vancouver Island were announced); and,
  • co-funding, with the Association of Canadian Distillers and the Brewers' Association of Canada, a national information service resource centre on FAS/FAE, which is located with the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. This service, made accessible by a 1-800 number (1-800-559-4514), was implemented in April, 1994 and provides links to support groups, prevention projects and experts on FAS/FAE. Clients include caregivers, educators, health professionals, researchers, members of the legal community and the general public.