Learn About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol in pregnancy; Alcohol-related birth defects; Fetal alcohol effects; FAS; Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; Alcohol abuse - fetal alcohol; Alcoholism - fetal alcohol
Using alcohol during pregnancy can cause the same risks as using alcohol in general. But it poses extra risks to the unborn baby. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it easily passes across the placenta to the fetus. Because of this, drinking alcohol can harm the unborn baby.
There is no "safe" level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Larger amounts of alcohol appear to increase the problems. Binge drinking is more harmful than drinking small amounts of alcohol.
Timing of alcohol use during pregnancy is also important. Drinking alcohol is likely most harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy. But drinking alcohol any time during pregnancy can be harmful.
A baby with FAS may have the following symptoms:
- Poor growth while the baby is in the womb and after birth
- Decreased muscle tone and poor coordination
- Delayed developmental milestones
- Vision difficulties, such as nearsightedness (myopia)
- Hyperactivity
- Anxiety
- Extreme nervousness
- Short attention span
Women who are pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should not drink any amount of alcohol. Pregnant women with alcohol use disorder should join a rehabilitation program and be checked closely by a health care provider throughout pregnancy.
University Of Cape Town
Ernesta Meintjes is in Cape Town, South Africa. Meintjes is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Spinocerebellar Degeneration and Corneal Dystrophy, HIV/AIDS, and Syphilis.
University Of British Columbia
Joanne Weinberg is in Vancouver, Canada. Weinberg is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Premature Infant, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Syphilis.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Lidia Cantacorps is in Barcelona, Spain. Cantacorps is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Rasmussen Encephalitis.
The outcome for infants with FAS varies. Almost none of these babies have normal brain development.
Infants and children with FAS have many different problems, which can be difficult to manage. Children do best if they are diagnosed early and referred to a team of providers who can work on educational and behavioral strategies that fit the child's needs.
Call for an appointment with your provider if you are drinking alcohol regularly or heavily, and are finding it difficult to cut back or stop. Also, call if you are drinking alcohol in any amount while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy prevents FAS. Counseling can help women who have already had a child with FAS.
Sexually active women who drink heavily should use birth control and control their drinking behaviors, or stop using alcohol before trying to get pregnant.
Published Date : August 29, 2020
Published By : Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Hoyme HE, Kalberg WO, Elliott AJ, et al. Updated clinical guidelines for diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Pediatrics. 2016;138(2). pii: e20154256 PMID: 27464676 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27464676/.
Weber RJ, Jauniaux ERM. Drugs and environmental agents in pregnancy and lactation: teratology, epidemiology, and patient management. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.
Wozniak JR, Riley EP, Charness ME. Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Lancet Neurol. 2019;18(8):760-770. PMID: 31160204 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31160204/.