Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust has released a series of short interview clips with Dr Raja Mukherjee for FASD Awareness Month, addressing some of the most common and sensitive questions around alcohol use in pregnancy and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Dr Mukherjee explains that while a diagnosis of FASD is not always possible due to missing information or overlapping genetic factors, families will still receive a comprehensive assessment and guidance. Even without a formal diagnosis, these reports can support schools, health services and families in better understanding the individual and ensuring access to the right help.

In another part of the series, Dr Mukherjee highlights the challenge of predicting risk from alcohol exposure during pregnancy. He underlines that because everyone’s genetics and lifestyles are different, it is impossible with current science to determine the exact risk for any one person. The safest advice remains clear: no alcohol means no risk. This straightforward message reflects the uncertainty around individual vulnerability and the importance of prevention.

The interviews also tackle common worries, such as the impact of a single episode of binge drinking during pregnancy. Dr Mukherjee stresses that one isolated incident is unlikely to cause harm, although repeated episodes raise the risk significantly. His advice is not to panic, but to focus on maintaining a healthy pregnancy moving forward. Taken together, these clips provide both reassurance and clarity, reinforcing the importance of avoiding alcohol during pregnancy while offering practical guidance to families and professionals.

Find more from Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust (UK, September 2025)