1. FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
…the effect of alcohol on your unborn child…

2. ? QUESTIONS ? What if I only drink a little while pregnant?
I don’t drink the hard stuff…
is that okay?
Will I be okay if I stop the last few months.
Beer doesn’t count, does it?

3. FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
Drinking alcohol, any kind and any time, during your pregnancy may be harmful.
If you drink while pregnant, your baby will be at risk to be born with
FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME is caused by drinking alcoholic beverages while pregnant. The cause of this birth defect is considered to be “environmental”.

4. Who is affected:
Any UNBORN CHILD, male or female, of any race might be affected by the ALCOHOL that a MOTHER CONSUMES WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT.
FAS in 1 to 2 births / 1,000 in U.S. each year.
When a pregnant women drinks, the alcohol will be passed on to the unborn child in the blood through the placenta Because of the size of the unborn baby, the alcohol level will be higher than the level in the mother.

5. What are the CHARACTERISTICS of FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS)?
Leading cause of mental retardation, or some degree of mental disability
Short attention span
Hyperactivity
Social and behavior problems
Abnormally small at birth
Small head circumference
Small, widely spaced eyes
Flat mid-face
Thin upper lip and underdeveloped jaw

6. FETAL ALCOHOL EFFECT (FAE)
Less severe set of FAS symptoms
FAE in 3-4 births / 1,000 in U.S. each year
Mothers who drink moderately or lightly while pregnant may have a child with Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE)
The brain of babies with FAE may have varying degrees of damage.

7. What is the TREATMENT or PREVENTION of FAS?
FAS and related conditions are 100% PREVENTABLE!
STOP consuming alcoholic drinks BEFORE you become pregnant.
Avoid ALL alcohol products while you are pregnant.

8. References:
Booze News, Fact Sheet. Retrived September 11, 2002, from
Kellerman, T. (2002) FAS Community Resource Center. Retrived September 11, 2002, from
National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrived September 11, 2002, from