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17th January 2017
12:00pm GMT
A new study has placed Ireland at number one in the world for drinking during pregnancy rates.
The research conducted by respected medical journal The Lancet suggests that over 60% of Irish births show evidence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy while the global average is just 10%.
We were closely followed four other European nations in Russia (37%), the United Kingdom (41%), Denmark (46%), and Belarus (47%)
Alcohol Action Ireland states that Drinking during pregnancy carries a risk of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) which can lead to children experiencing problems with their growth, facial defects, as well as learning and behavioural problems.
Ireland was also placed among the most prevalent nations for FAS along with Belarus, Italy, Croatia and South Africa while the countries with the lowest cases of FAS were Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
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