A pregnant woman smoking cigarette and drinking alcohol. Photo: Getty ImagesA University of Otago researcher fears increased alcohol purchases during the Covid-19 lockdown may result in more babies being born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) next year. Associate Prof Anita Gibbs said the disorder affected 3000 babies born in New Zealand annually but many people were undiagnosed. Prof Gibbs is a social worker who lectures in social work, sociology and criminology courses at Otago. FASD is a group of conditions that can occur in a person where alcohol has been consumed during pregnancy.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 25, 2020 22:52 UTC