Thousands more Scots children are suffering from less obvious symptoms such as learning difficulties caused by women who drink too much in the later stages of pregnancy, according to a new report.

The study, which has been sent to both the UK and Scottish parliaments, warns too much emphasis has been placed on the cost of adults misusing alcohol, and the impact on their unborn children has been ignored.

Dr Jonathan Sher, director of research, policy and programmes at Children in Scotland, which has more than 450 members including children’s charities and community groups, compiled the report. The study warns that Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and the less obvious Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are entirely avoidable and completely incurable.

The syndrome results in visible birth defects – including a malformed face – and damage to the brain and organs which can be fatal. The disorder is more difficult to diagnose and results in symptoms that include problems with concentration and learning.

Dr Sher said: “Foetal alcohol syndrome is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It is easier to diagnose because the damage can be seen. Thousands more children, teenagers and adults across Scotland have suffered serious harm to their brains that is invisible, but continues to have a negative impact on their learning, behaviour, wellbeing and life chances.”

The report states: “A conservative estimate is that there are 900 children in Scotland [under 18] who have FAS – and many times more [ie thousands of] children and young people who were damaged in more subtle, but still serious, ways by foetal alcohol exposure.

“In comparison with the attention accorded to parental dependence upon alcohol – and the misuse of alcohol by children and young people – relatively little attention [and even less action] has been focused on the extent to which children’s lives and life chances have been compromised by exposure to alcohol while still in utero. This blindspot is counterproductive. Ignoring the problem of FAS and FASD has not reduced the life-long harm with which many children must live because of foetal alcohol exposure.”

The study comes as children’s charities back Scottish Government plans for minimum pricing on alcohol.

Children in Scotland believes the alcohol bill going through Holyrood needs to address a lack of awareness of what it believes is a growing problem.

Forrester Cockburn, Emeritus Professor of Child Health at Glasgow University, told The Herald far more children in Scotland are suffering from the syndrome “than were ever damaged by thalidomide”.

“The commonest preventable cause of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), autism and congenital heart disease is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome,” he said. “You may see these conditions as a result of other problems but this is the one thing which is entirely preventable and young women should be made aware of that. There is a whole range of problems that don’t allow us to say there is a safe alcohol limit for expectant mothers.

“For the first three months I would not recommend any drinking, but one or two units a week after that might be okay. This is nine months of a ­woman’s life whereas the outlook for the child is for life.”

He believes raising the price of alcohol and clearly labelling alcohol to explain the potential damage to unborn babies would help.

Dr Harry Burns, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, said recently that prenatal exposure to alcohol “is the leading cause of brain damage and developmental delay among children in industrialised countries”.