The World Health Organization says, “At times of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol consumption can exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviors, mental health issues and violence. WHO/Europe reminds people that drinking alcohol does not protect them from COVID-19, and encourages governments to enforce measures which limit alcohol consumption.”
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During this time of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, people have questions about whether or not they should get pregnant. Presently, there’s limited evidence available regarding mother-to- fetus transmission, transmission during delivery, and transmission during breastfeeding. We are learning more daily about if and how mothers with COVID-19 pass the virus to their children in the womb and/ or through breastmilk. It is currently thought that it is very unlikely that COVID-19 causes birth defects. There is some evidence that pregnant women are more likely to get the coronavirus. Visit showyourlovetoday.com to learn more and to know what questions you can ask your healthcare provider as it relates to planning your pregnancy.
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“Some people with disabilities might be at a higher risk of infection or severe illness because of their underlying medical conditions. Adults with disabilities are three times more likely than adults without disabilities to have heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer than adults without disabilities."
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Christie Petrenko and Cristiano Tapparello created the first mobile phone app for caregivers of children with FASD, called FMF Connect…Focus groups members—made up exclusively of caregivers of children with FASD— liked what they saw. “Responses were generally enthusiastic,” says Petrenko. The caregivers liked that the information was easily accessible and organized, and they could connect with others.”
– University of Rochester Newscenter
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As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to disrupt nearly every facet of society, NOFAS would like to call attention to some of its effects on the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) community.
The crisis is an especially difficult time for children and adults with FASD because they can have a high rate of pre-existing health conditions, low levels of health literacy, and they rely on others for access to care. Additionally, April is Alcohol Awareness Month and NOFAS is doing its part to promote awareness of prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD.
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“In a paper published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, the researchers report that when alcohol-exposed male mice mated with alcohol-naïve females, the offspring displayed significant deficits in brain development. Specifically, the neocortex, responsible for complex cognitive and behavioral function, had patterning deficits. Although neither these mice nor their mothers had ever been exposed to alcohol, their brains showed changes consistent with a mouse model of FASD.”
– University of California – Riverside News
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