On Tuesday, the ARCUS foundation shared a video message by Grand Duchess Maria Teresa raising awareness on fetal alcohol syndrome. Grand Duchess Maria Teresa had met representatives of the organization earlier this year to learn more about their work and their prevention campaign on fetal alcohol syndrome.

In her message, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa said: “In Luxembourg, it can be said that on average 120 children are born each year with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and only 1 in 10 children are diagnosed. In Western countries, this phenomenon is the leading cause of non-genetic mental disability. The only way to be sure that the child will not develop this problem is to completely give up alcohol as soon as a woman plans to have a child, during the entire pregnancy, and during breastfeeding. Even a small amount of alcohol can have harmful effects on the unborn child and on the infant. Abstinence is therefore the best prevention.”

Grand Duchess Maria Teresa wore her Giorgio Armani jacket.