Fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of mental and physical defects in unborn babies caused by a mother's excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It can stunt fetal growth, damage the brain and neurons, and cause facial abnormalities and other issues. While many women report using alcohol during pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome remains one of the most preventable birth defects as there are currently no treatments that can prevent or reverse its effects after fetal exposure to alcohol.
2. It is a pattern of mental and physical defects
which develops in some unborn babies when
the mother drinks excessive alcohol during
pregnancy.
3. It can stunt fetal growth or weight, create
distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons
and brain structures, and cause other
physical , mental or behavioral problems
.
4. Is it found in the U.S. that 10-15% of women
report having recently used alcohol , and up
to 30% use alcohol at some point during
pregnancy.
5.
6. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is often called
the number one preventable birth defect.
Meaning it can not be prevented and that
you were born with it.
7. Despite counseling of pregnant women to
avoid alcohol, large numbers of babies are
born with FAS. At present, no effective
treatments exist that can prevent or reverse
FAS after fetal exposure to alcohol.
