Fetal alcohol syndrome

Overview
Alcohol is toxic to a fetus. Because alcohol crosses the placenta (the structure that develops during pregnancy to nourish the fetus and help it discard waste), infants of mothers who drink throughout pregnancy are at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This condition causes a pattern of physical and mental defects in the unborn baby. In fact, fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western hemisphere. Because the exact amount of alcohol needed to cause these abnormalities is unknown, the U.S. Surgeon General recommends avoiding alcohol entirely if you're pregnant or trying to conceive. Babies affected by alcohol but without the full set of FAS characteristics are described as having fetal alcohol effects (FAE). In the United States, alcohol-related birth defects are estimated to occur in as many as one in 100 live births.

Characteristics
Heavy drinking during pregnancy may lead to malnutrition for both mother and baby, poor intrauterine growth, preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion. Damage to the fetus varies according to the amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy, as well as how far the pregnancy has progressed, peak alcohol blood levels, genetics and environmental factors, such as using illicit drugs at the same time.
In addition to mild to moderate mental retardation, fetal alcohol syndrome may lead to:

cardiac defects
facial abnormalities
growth retardation
mental retardation (usually mild to moderate)
minor joint and limb abnormalities
Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome also face an increased risk of learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and attention-deficit disorder (ADD).


Summary
If you or someone you know is pregnant or trying to conceive and struggling with the use of alcohol, it is crucial to get help right away. A professional assessment or evaluation can help determine what treatment method may be best for the individual, and ultimately the baby as well. Again, do not drink if you're pregnant or trying to conceive to eliminate the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.