In a statement, Aynsley-Green said: “Exposure to alcohol before birth is one of the most significant causes of childhood brain damage, learning disability, poor behaviour and even criminality, affecting up to one in every 100 infants.
“It is entirely preventable by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy, but despite this, advice to expectant mothers in the UK and especially England is inconsistent, contradictory and confusing, and services to support diagnosis and management of affected children are inadequate.
“There has, however, been political denial of the scale and importance of the problem.
“It is time for concerted political and professional leadership from government, the alcohol industry, Medical Royal Colleges, and support agencies to work alongside women, families and affected adults and children to address the challenges.”
