What is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Congenital problem: If the developing baby is exposed to excess alcohol then it can develop abnormalities in brain function as well as facial development. People with fetal alcohol syndrome can also have emotional difficulties. No one really knows how much alcohol is too much for the baby so we generally advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol.

Long-term problems: Alcohol can damage a baby's developing brain resulting in a long-lasting pattern of cognitive, learning, emotional, social, and behavioral problems. These problems can be difficult to treat if one isn't aware of the background of prenatal alcohol exposure. However help is available and the earlier a child gets appropriate treatment the better the long-term prognosis.

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.