Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) that occurs when a woman consumes alcohol during pregnancy. 

There is no known safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed while pregnant. Alcohol passes straight from the mother to the unborn baby across the umbilical cord. 

There is no cure for FAS. However, treatment programs can lessen the impact of the disorder and make caring for an affected child easier.

The best way to prevent FAS is to not drink during pregnancy.

What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

As there is no specific test for FAS, it is likely that there are more incidents of fetal alcohol syndrome than reported. 

FAS is the most extreme form of FASD. It involves both physical and developmental abnormalities.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supported a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2018. It estimated that 1% to 5% of children in the first grade had FASD.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one infant per 1,000 in the United States has FAS.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by exposure to alcohol prenatally, or during pregnancy. When the mother drinks alcohol, it passes to the baby through the umbilical cord and has toxic effects. 

FAS is a lifelong disorder with no cure. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome have facial abnormalities, nervous system issues, and growth problems.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can have an extremely detrimental effect on the unborn baby during any trimester. It can cause the following: 

• Fetal death and spontaneous abortions 
• Growth and development issues
• Cognitive problems
• Behavioral and social problems
• A high risk for developing fetal alcohol syndrome

Key Facts About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

It is important to understand that alcohol is toxic to an unborn baby. Again, no amount of alcohol is considered safe to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can impact the baby during all three trimesters of pregnancy and potentially cause fetal alcohol syndrome.

What Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

An FASD, such as FAS, is directly caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. This occurs when the mother consumes alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. 

Alcohol is carried through the mother’s bloodstream and the umbilical cord straight to the baby. Alcohol has a toxic effect on the baby and can impact healthy growth while in the womb. 

Alcohol disrupts fetal development at every stage of pregnancy, even before a woman knows she is pregnant. Alcohol in the baby’s bloodstream interferes with the critical development of organs, including the brain, bodily structures such as facial features, and physiological systems.

Alcohol exposure during pregnancy is the number one preventable cause of neurodevelopmental abnormalities and birth defects in the United States. Cognitive, developmental, and behavioral issues can appear at any time during childhood after prenatal exposure to alcohol, and these issues last a lifetime. One of the biggest issues with prenatal alcohol exposure is the permanent brain damage it can cause in the baby. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable condition that can have lasting medical, emotional, behavioral, and social challenges that interfere with daily life.

Additional risk factors for the development of fetal alcohol syndrome include the following:

• Poor nutrition
• Women over the age of 30 with a long history of alcohol use
• Women with a genetic susceptibility who metabolize alcohol at slower rates
• Women who already have a child with fetal alcohol syndrome (increased risk for future children with the condition)

What Are the Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Symptoms can range from mild to severe for these disorders and impact each person in variable ways. These symptoms can include the following:

• Vision and/or hearing problems
• Issues with the heart and/or kidneys
• Problems with bones
• Short stature and shorter-than-average height
• Low body weight
• Small head size
• Abnormal facial features, including wide-set or narrow eyes and a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (the ridge called the philtrum) 
• Problems latching and sucking as a baby
• Sleep issues
• Learning disabilities
• Low IQ or intellectual disability
• Hyperactive behavior
• Language and speech delays
• Poor memory
• Coordination issues
• Attention problems
• Poor judgment and reasoning skills
• School issues, especially with math

People with fetal alcohol syndrome have social issues, trouble getting along with others, and problems in school. FAS can cause learning, memory, communication, vision, hearing, and attention span issues. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed. It is important to have a correct diagnosis for optimal treatment and management techniques. Oftentimes, multiple medical assessments are needed.

What Are the Risks of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome can lead to a host of social, emotional, physical, behavioral, and developmental issues. 

People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are more likely to struggle in school both academically and socially and have difficulties with impulse control and attention. They are more likely to have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), depression, anxiety, and conduct issues. They have increased rates of alcohol and drug use and addiction. 

People with fetal alcohol syndrome have growth issues as well as problems with their central nervous system functions. They also commonly have facial feature malformations. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome can lead to bone, heart, and kidney problems. It can increase the risk for seizures and neurological issues. FAS can potentially raise the odds for chronic health problems, such as these: 

• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Hypertension
• Immune dysfunction

People with fetal alcohol syndrome are less likely to be able to live independently without issue. They often have psychiatric concerns and personality disorders. They have difficulties staying in school and obtaining a degree or maintaining stable employment. They often have drug and alcohol problems, and they commonly get in trouble with law enforcement. 

Life With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FAS represents one of the most serious problems stemming from a mother’s drinking habits during pregnancy. While the condition has no cure, children with FAS can lead healthy and fulfilling lives with the right treatment.

The CDC explains that people with FASDs have the best chance of a healthy life if the following factors are true for them:

• They are diagnosed before 6 years old.
• They grow up in a loving and stable home.
• Their home is free of violence.
• They engage with social services and special education agencies.

A child with FAS who is diagnosed early, surrounded by loving family members, and supported by doctors and therapists may go on to live a very healthy life. However, a child who is diagnosed later and grows up surrounded by stress may struggle.

Understanding Alcohol Abuse During Pregnancy

In the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 11% of pregnant women ages 15 to 44 admitted to using alcohol in the month prior. In addition, 5.3% of pregnant women ages 15 to 44 admitted to binge drinking in the month prior.

Any amount of alcohol abuse during pregnancy can be harmful to both mother and unborn baby.

Alcohol travels into the blood, tissues, and organs of the baby. It is much harder for the unborn baby to break down alcohol than it is for a grown adult. The blood alcohol level in a baby will remain elevated for much longer, which means that alcohol has more impact on the baby’s brain and system, as the baby will be exposed for longer. Alcohol affects the development and health of the unborn baby.

Any amount of alcohol use is unsafe during pregnancy, so it is important to stop drinking as soon as you can to prevent potential issues. It is ideal to stop drinking before becoming pregnant, but women often find out several weeks or even months into their pregnancy that they are pregnant. As soon as pregnancy is discovered, alcohol use needs to stop. 

When alcohol dependence and addiction are present, a specialized alcohol abuse and addiction treatment program for expecting mothers is needed. If someone has been drinking for a long time at high levels, they should never attempt to quit drinking on their own. Medical supervision is needed to ensure safety.

In a comprehensive treatment program, professionals will work to safely control withdrawal symptoms and cravings and minimize the chances for relapse. 

How to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Heavy drinking is classified as engaging in five or more binge drinking episodes in a 30-day period.

The only absolute way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome is to not drink while trying to get pregnant or while pregnant. Typically, it can be a few weeks to a month or more before a woman even knows she is pregnant. Drinking alcohol during any stage of pregnancy can be harmful to the unborn baby. 

The NIAAA warns that binge and heavy drinking in pregnant mothers present the most risk for unborn babies. The NIAAA also says that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy, and even in small amounts, alcohol can cause birth defects and growth and development issues.

The NIAAA defines binge drinking in women as consuming four or more drinks in a two-hour period, or any amount of drinking that brings the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) to 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter or higher.

Deciding to stop drinking before trying to get pregnant, and abstaining from alcohol consumption during pregnancy, is the only way to completely prevent fetal alcohol syndrome.

Treatment Options for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The CDC says no one treatment program is right for every child with FAS. However, good programs will involve close monitoring, follow-up appointments, and treatment changes as needed.

The CDC says early intervention programs can begin at birth and last until age 36 months. Programs like this can help a child walk, talk, and interact with others. Treatment teams may also provide speech therapy for language delays and physical therapy to improve motor skills.

Other beneficial treatment options for children with fetal alcohol syndrome include the following:

• Medication: Some children need prescription stimulants for ADHD, while others need antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs to help them address underlying mental health concerns.
• Behavior and education therapy: Programs help children build social skills (such as sharing or dealing with teasing).
• Parent training: Educational programs help parents learn to deal with challenging behaviors and clear communication.
• Alternative approaches: Some children benefit from therapies like biofeedback, art therapy, yoga, and acupuncture.

The Bottom Line

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can have lasting repercussions, including fetal alcohol syndrome developing in the unborn baby. A child born with FAS will often need a high level of support to learn how to talk, walk, and interact properly with the world around them. They may require consistent monitoring and follow-up care to ensure that their treatment plan evolves and remains effective.

FAS is a serious condition, but it can be prevented and treated. It is essential to stop drinking as soon as possible in pregnancy to prevent significant brain damage and developmental issues in the baby. A comprehensive addiction treatment program can help that to happen.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAQs