Fetal alcohol syndrome survey is 'first of its kind'  

Ireland ranks third out of 187 countries for prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, behind South Africa and Croatia.

A survey is being conducted to establish the experience of people living with or caring for someone with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Ireland. The move coincides with the introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in recent days and against a backdrop of an estimated 600 babies a year being born here with FASD.

The research is the first of its kind in Ireland and is being conducted by Katy Tobin of Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with Alcohol Forum Ireland and ÉNDpae, a support group for parents and carers of people with the disorder in Ireland. The study is also being promoted by recently-established FASD Ireland, set up in September to support children, young adults and families with the condition.