What is it?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that can occur in the fetus of a mother who has drank alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.
It has been estimated that globally, about 10% of women in the general population consume alcohol during pregnancy and 1 in 67 women deliver a child with FAS.
The diagnosis of FAS is based on 3 features:
- Slow physical growth before and after birth
- A pattern of craniofacial malformations: distinctive facial features associated with FAS are small eyes, thin lips as well as smaller head circumference and brain size
- Central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction: can present as hyperactivity, attention deficits and learning disabilities
The neurodevelopmental impairments associated with FAS can, later in life, lead to secondary disabilities, for example: academic failure, substance abuse, mental health problems, contact with law enforcement, and an inability to live independently, and obtain and maintain employment. In many cases people with FAS require lifelong assistance.
Fetus’ Vulnerability to Alcohol
It is known that not every women who drinks during pregnancy will deliver a child with FAS. The risk of developing FAS depends on the timing and the amount of alcohol consumption. The first trimester of the pregnancy is an especially vulnerable time period with a 12x increased risk of the baby developing FAS.
Other factors that can influence the fetus’ vulnerability are:
- Metabolism and genetic background of both the mother and fetus
- Environmental influences
- Mother’s smoking behaviour
- Nutritional status
- Stress levels
- Possibly the father’s lifestyle