Over 300 families seek help for child foetal alcohol spectrum disorder 

FASD Ireland, based in Ennis, has fielded approximately 600 contacts from families seeking advice about the condition in relation to people of all ages since January 1. 

More than 300 families with concerns that their young children may be suffering from foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have reached out for help to a national support service since the start of this year.

FASD Ireland, based in Ennis, has fielded approximately 600 contacts from families seeking advice about the condition in relation to people of all ages since January 1. 

However, chief executive of FASD Ireland, Tristan Casson-Rennie, says that a concerning statistic is that 57% of contacts have related to children under the age of six.

He said that many of these concerns have only become apparent after children began primary school, when differences in learning, behaviour, and emotional regulation start to emerge.

Mr Casson-Rennie has criticised the Government’s delay in implementing the health labelling of alcohol products, which is now not expected to be introduced until 2028.

He believes that the labelling would play a big role in educating would-be parents about the dangers of alcohol around conception.

We have never seen anything like this and we believe it may be something to do with the covid pandemic.

He pointed out that people were drinking at home instead of in pubs, resulting in possibly larger drink measures and no regulation around last orders.

He added: “We know that the numbers of babies increased for the first time in 12 years in Ireland during covid.” 

Mr Casson-Rennie said this, combined with a lack of public health messaging around the dangers of pre-natal alcohol exposure for both men and women, may have led to the current concerns around young children showing signs of FASD.

He said it is not commonly recognised that men’s use of alcohol can affect their sperm, leading to the development of FASD in their child.

The HSE said in a briefing document in 2022 that the prevalence of FASD in Ireland is estimated at between 2.8% and 7.4% of the population. 

Mr Casson-Rennie said: “The symptoms of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder often begin to become visible from around the age of five and can be fully recognisable by the time a child reaches 10. 

"What we are seeing now are parents who know something is not quite right for their child but are struggling to find information, diagnosis, and support.”

He said that recent research led by Professor Michael Goulding at Texas A&M University found that alcohol consumption by a father in the 64 days prior to conception can cause epigenetic changes in sperm.

FASD Ireland is calling for:

• Increased national awareness campaigns about the risks of alcohol and conception/pregnancy for both parents;
• Improved assessment and diagnostic pathways for children;
• Training for teachers and healthcare professionals about FASD; 
• Sustainable funding for services supporting families affected by FASD.