Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes several possible outcomes that can occur if a woman drinks alcohol while pregnant.
- What does FASD include?
- FASD includes the diagnoses of:
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)
• Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS)
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)
• Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
- Why is drinking dangerous to the fetus?
- Alcohol is a teratogen, a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, and most often impacts the cells of the brain and spinal cord. This can cause serious and permanent brain damage.
- How frequently does FASD occur?
- FAS was first recognized in 1973
and is the leading known cause of
preventable mental retardation and
birth defects in the United States.
FASD occurs more frequently
than many other commonly known
birth defects and according to the
CDC, for every 1000 live births in
the US:
- • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
0.6 to 4.5 babies are affected
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 0.2 to 1.5 babies are affected
• Cerebral Palsy 2.3 babies are affected
• Spina Bifida 0.7 babies are affected
- • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
0.6 to 4.5 babies are affected
- What are some effects of FASD?
- Children with FASD might have some
of the follow characteristics:
• Mental retardation or low IQ
• Learning disabilities
• Developmental disabilities
• Hyperactive behavior
• Problems with daily living
• Small size or stature in relation to peers
• Facial abnormalities
- Can a few drinks early in pregnancy cause FAS or FASD?
- Yes, drinking any amount of alcohol at any time during the pregnancy has the potential of damaging the fetus and leading to a FASD. No amount of alcohol consumption can be considered safe during pregnancy and alcohol can damage a fetus at any stage of pregnancy.
