FASFoetal

Alcohol

Syndrome

FAS is a set of physical and mental birth defects that result from a woman drinking when she is pregnant.

Men’s sperm are also affected by drinking alcohol and a child may develop FAS from the father’s sperm.

Q: What is FAS?

Q: Why is this important?

• South Africa has the highest rates of FAS in the world

• 1 million South African’s (adults and children) are affected by FAS

• 24 000 children are born with FAS every year in South Africa

family one day?

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REALITY CHECK!

How?

REMEMBER:

Women usually don’t know that they are pregnant for the first couple of weeks – so you may be pregnant and not know it!

If a pregnant woman drinks 1

drink a day

This is equal to giving a baby

39 baby bottles full of booze!

39

Drinking ALCOHOL is more damaging to the unborn baby

than taking ANY other substance!

Q: What happens if I drink?• Drinking during pregnancy results in

the baby developing FAS symptoms and effects

• Alcohol causes damage to EVERY organ of a developing baby

• Alcohol harms unborn babies and results in them needing special care for the rest of their lives

Dr. ViljoenDr. Viljoen

Chairman of F.A.R.R Chairman of F.A.R.R (Foundation for Alcohol Related (Foundation for Alcohol Related

Research)Research)

University Professor at Stellenbosch, University Professor at Stellenbosch, UCT, and WITSUCT, and WITS

Q: What are the effects of FAS?

• Permanent brain damage• Mental retardation• Facial abnormalities • Small, underweight babies • Stunted growth• Heart, liver and kidney defects• Skeletal deformities (curved spine)• Fused/webbed fingers and toes

Dr. ViljoenDr. Viljoen

Chairman of F.A.R.R Chairman of F.A.R.R (Foundation for Alcohol Related (Foundation for Alcohol Related

Research)Research)

University Professor at Stellenbosch, University Professor at Stellenbosch, UCT, and WITSUCT, and WITS

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Partial FAS ARND ARBD FAS

Q: Can FAS be treated?

• No.

• There is no cure or treatment for FAS.

• The effects of FAS are permanent and life long

• HOWEVER, FAS is 100% preventable100% preventable!

“The youth have the power to stop this epidemic

And make a difference to our future children”

-Sister Margaret-

Q: So what does this have to do with me?

• FAS is 100% preventable

• Ensure that you don’t drink when you get pregnant

• You can make a difference by creating awareness to others about FAS

YOUR lifeYOUR decisions

YOUR consequences

Make them matter

FAS Day

FAS KN T