What is fetal alcohol syndome?

Fetal brain damage: Caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Hence advice to avoid any alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Baby may have certain characteristic features such as deeply sunken bridge of nose. Child can have all manner of developmental and intellectual delay. Problems with anger control, attention deficit disorder & failure to appreciate consequences of bad behavior.

Fetal Alcohol Syn-: drome is the most severe of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Alcohol is a teratogen, a drug that interferes with fetal development & can cause birth defects. From 3 weeks after conception, having 4 or more standard drinks- 12 oz. beer, 3-4 oz. wine, 1.5 oz. spirits- over a few hrs. can damage the fetal brain & other organs as they form & develop. See http://fasdcenter.samhsa.gov for more.