A guide was launched today by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne to assist health professionals prevent fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD) and cope up with issues of alcohol in pregnancy. An estimated 500 babies were born with FASD on a yearly basis.

Mr Dunne said that differing from other regular health risks, FASD was prevalent in every area of the society and not just in poor areas or with Maori and Pacific mothers. About 30 percent women reported not being informed about the detrimental affects of drinking when they were pregnant.

Mr Dunne explained that as per research many general practitioners felt ill-equipped to deal with alcohol issues. The latest guide, Alcohol and Pregnancy: A Practical Guide for Health Professionals would assist with that, he said.

Dunne said at the launch of the guide in Auckland this morning, “During pregnancy however, no level of consumption should be worth the risk to the unborn child - and that is a message that needs to continually be driven home.”

He added, “I hope this resource will take you one step further towards developing that infrastructure.”