Alcohol effects a fetus
Monday, 15 October, is known as National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day and South Africa has recently been detected as the country with the highest rate of this syndrome out of 187 countries globally, but how does the current situation look in Mokopane?
MOKOPANE – FASD is an umbrella term used for a group of permanent, life-long and irreversible conditions caused by the effects of alcohol on a fetus.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe with at least two characteristic facial features, growth retardation in terms of height and weight, a smaller head circumference and central nervous system damage with neurodevelopmental delays. A child born with this syndrome may also develop behavioural and psychological defects.
In a statement that Cansa released to Bosveld it says that the latest global statistics on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders’ (FASD) prevalence in South Africa should be a warning call to local authorities to urgently act on the condition.
Out of 187 countries, a study found that South Africa has the highest prevalence rate of FASD, at 111 per 1 000 births.
Similar research into FASD by the Foundation of Alcohol-Related Research (FARR) found that at least 6 million people in South Africa are affected by FASD.
At Mokopane Hospital in Mahwelereng this syndrome is quite prevalent as well.
Dr Danny Mokumo, Mokopane Hospital Senior Clinic Manager says: “The reason for our hospital having quite a number of patients with this syndrome is because of the fact that almost all the institutions in the Waterberg District bring them to our hospital for special attention. At the Mokopane Hospital itself, we also do get some cases frequently.”
He explains that the main reason for this disease being so prevalent is the fact that more and more young girls, mostly teenagers discover that they are pregnant too late.
“Most of them notice it when they are already a month to three months in the pregnancy stage and in the meantime, they still carried on with bad habits.” He says that it is important to address the syndrome and that a collaborating effort must be made to prevent it.
“It is easy to understand that young girls are scared to test for pregnancy because of the stigma that is out there, but they need to understand how important it is. Those girls need support from the community and their family. They must test early and we at the hospital urge young girls to do so to prevent this syndrome.”
