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What causes fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by consumption of alcohol by a woman during her pregnancy. The risk to an unborn baby of developing the syndrome is usually higher, the earlier and the more frequently an expectant mother drinks alcohol. However, even with heavy maternal alcohol consumption, a baby may not develop an obvious fetal alcohol disorder. Since a lower 'safe' level of alcohol consumption is unknown, it is generally recommended that women stop all alcohol consumption during a pregnancy.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is part of a group of conditions in which a baby develops long-term complications due to exposure to alcohol, from the mother drinking during pregnancy. These complications include intellectual, physical and behavioral issues.

What are the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome?

People born with fetal alcohol syndrome show a range of symptoms at birth, in childhood and throughout life. Most of the major symptoms have to do with brain damage and can include growth deficits, cognitive and learning disorders, low …

How is fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosed?

There is no single test for fetal alcohol syndrome. A diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome will be made by the severity of symptoms, including: The distinctive facial features; Brain abnormality or mental problems, and; Growth deficits. If the …

How is fetal alcohol syndrome treated?

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. By the time the baby is born, the effects of the syndrome are already in place and cannot be reversed. They are different for every person, but these effects can last a lifetime. Treatment by healthcare …

Can fetal alcohol syndrome be prevented?

On an individual level, fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented by not consuming any alcohol during pregnancy. A 'safe' level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy is unknown. On a wider level, prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome focuses on: - …

Are there different types of fetal alcohol syndrome?

There are different degrees of damage that alcohol can do to an unborn child. Fetal alcohol syndrome is at the extreme end of the scale, and there are also other diagnoses such as partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related …

What is the outlook for fetal alcohol syndrome?

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. By the time the baby is born, the effects of the syndrome are already in place and cannot be reversed. They are different for every person, but these effects can last a lifetime. Treatment by …

What increases the chances of developing fetal alcohol syndrome?

The risks to an unborn baby from the mother's alcohol consumption are related to three main factors: 1) Quantity - how much alcohol the mother drinks. 2) Timing - at what point in the pregnancy she drinks. 3) Frequency - how …

How common is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is found in about one to three of every 1000 people worldwide.

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About this article

Author: Dr Bow Tauro PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 12 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 17 Oct 2018
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Votes: 346 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Down syndrome

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