What are Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders? |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a set of physical and mental birth defects that can result when a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, such as beer, wine or mixed drinks, so does her baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta into the developing baby. The baby may suffer lifelong damage as a result.
FAS is characterized by brain damage, facial deformities and growth deficits. Heart, liver and kidney defects also are common, as well as vision and hearing problems. Individuals have difficulties with learning, attention, memory and problem-solving.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis.
Alcohol-Related birth defects are completely preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant. |
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- FASD is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects.
- Of all the substances of abuse (including cocaine, heroin and marijuana), alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.
- FASD affects 1 in 100 live births.
- Children do not outgrow FASD. The physical and behavior problems can last for a lifetime.
- FASD affects an estimated 40,000 infants a year - more than Spina Bifida, Down Syndrome and Muscular Dystrophy combined.
The 10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health estimated the annual cost of FAS in 1998 to be 2.8 billion. A recent report estimates that the lifetime cost for one individual with FAS in 2002 was $2 million. This is an average for all people with FAS. People with severe problems, such as profound mental retardation, have much higher costs.
Drinking any kind of alcohol can hurt your baby. Alcoholic drinks can include beer, wine, hard liquor, wine coolers or mixed drinks. Do not drink alcohol when you are pregnant. When you drink alcohol, so does your baby. Alcohol is a substance known to be harmful to human development. When it reaches the blood supply of the baby, it can cause permanent defects to the major organs and central nervous system. Every pregnancy is different. Drinking alcohol may hurt one baby more than another. You could have one child that is born healthy and another child that is born with problems. If you drank alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, stop drinking now. Any time a pregnant woman stops drinking, she decreases the risk of harm to the baby. If you are trying to get pregnant, do not drink alcohol. You may not know you are pregnant right away. |
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F.A.S. in New Mexico |
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F.A.S.: 1 per 1000 births.
- F.A.S.D.: 1 per 100 births.
- Native American tribes range from 1.8 to 3.09 per 1000 births.
- Hispanics have lowest rate.
- 81% of women have heard of F.A.S.
- 67% of women are never counseled by a physician on alcohol use during pregnancy.
- 84% of children with F.A.S. are involved with Children’s Protective Services.
- 80% of children with F.A.S. are in foster placements.
- Most mothers of children with F.A.S. had their first child as a teen mother.
Preceding information obtained through:
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
U.S. Surgeon General’s Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Institute of Medicine
New Mexico Department of Health
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