Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Finding Information About Preventable Birth Defects

Abstract

A pregnant woman is bombarded with information about diet, exercise, breastfeeding, and options for delivery. Random strangers start giving her advice on coping with morning sickness, and people start asking very personal questions. Everywhere she turns there is a book, magazine, website, or chat room devoted to pregnancy. Surprisingly, however, little information regarding the effects of alcohol on a developing fetus is presented. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term representing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD), and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). FASD describes the range of adverse effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These adverse effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities.