Costco Connection - January 2013

for your health

January
is Birth Defects
Prevention Month
Pregnancy and

ONE OUT OF every 33 babies in the U.S. —about one every four and a half minutes—is born with a birth defect, including heart defects, cleft palate, spina bifida and Down syndrome. Birth defects are the leading cause of infant deaths, accounting for one out of five. Babies born with defects have a greater chance of illness and long-term disability.

Some but not all birth defects can be prevented. Some are increasing in prevalence for unknown reasons. More research is needed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer these guidelines to prepare for a healthy pregnancy outcome.

• Take folic acid every day, starting at least one month before and throughout the pregnancy.

• Don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy.

• Don’t smoke.

• Don’t use street drugs.

WOMEN’S HEALTH

alcohol: A toxic
combination

By Susan Rose

DID YOU KNOW that if a pregnant woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy it can cause permanent disabilities in her unborn baby? These birth defects are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These disabilities are not always evident at birth and sometimes take years to be revealed.

Pregnant women should choose alcohol-free options to reduce the risk to their unborn babies and ring in a happy new year.

Test your own knowledge about pregnancy and alcohol with these six questions.

• Check with a healthcare provider before taking any medications or getting any vaccinations.

• Prevent infections.

• Keep diabetes under control.

• Reach and maintain a healthy weight.

• See your healthcare provider regularly.

For more information about birth defects, or to learn how you might make a difference, visit the National Birth Defects Prevention Network ( www.nbdpn.org).—David Wight

ANGELA WAYE / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Which is more dangerous to an unborn child: beer, wine, hard liquor, spiked eggnog or mixed drinks?

There is no difference because they are all dangerous during pregnancy. A 12-ounce can of beer has as much alcohol as a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1-ounce shot of liquor. One mixed drink can contain from one to three or more standard liquors. In other words, alcohol is alcohol and all kinds should be avoided.

Why is FASD considered to be a “hidden” disorder?

Children, teens and adults who have FASDs may appear to be normal and healthy. Consequently, many people with FASD are often under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed. Understandably, people (such as teachers and employers) may have unrealistic expectations of them.

PIOTR MARCINSKI/ SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

How many women do not know they are pregnant for the ;rst six weeks? Why should women avoid alcohol if they are trying to get pregnant?

An astounding 50 percent of women have no signs of pregnancy during the first six weeks of fetal development. During the first trimester, binge drinking (defined as four drinks of alcohol for women on one occasion) is particularly harmful to the fetus. Therefore, any woman planning a pregnancy should avoid drinking alcohol.

What are some of the signs of FASD?

People who have FASD can show a wide range of intellectual and/or physical problems. Intellectual and behavioral signs of FASD include poor memory, poor impulse control, poor judgment, learning disabilities and lower IQ.

Tablet or smartphone? You can watch a video about birth-defects prevention in our digital newsstand and online editions.

What is the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?

Every year in the United States, one in 100 babies is born with the disorder as a result of even moderate in utero exposure to alcohol.

Why take the risk?

During pregnancy, the best drink is no drink at all. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Surgeon General both warn that there is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink while pregnant.