The risks of alcohol use during pregnancy.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause birth defects in a fetus. Anything a mother drinks is also passed on to the fetus. Alcohol is metabolized more slowly in the immature body of a fetus than in an adult. This results in alcohol levels remaining high and for a longer period of time in the fetus's body. The risk of miscarriage and stillbirth is also increased when the mother drinks alcohol.

Even light or moderate alcohol consumption can affect a developing fetus. No amount of alcohol is safe. Therefore, pregnant women should not consume even small amounts of alcohol. A baby born to a mother who drinks alcohol during pregnancy may have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This group of disorders includes:

• Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). These are one of the most problems that may arise from alcohol consumption during pregnancy. After birth, facial deformities are observed, while later their development is delayed compared to that of healthy individuals. It is not uncommon for them to also present mental retardation. They may also present problems with the development of the central nervous system and learning difficulties in the future.

• Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). Children with ARND may not have full FAS. However, they have behavioral and learning difficulties due to alcohol exposure in utero. They have problems understanding math concepts, memory or attention problems, poor crisis management, and poor school performance.

• Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)Birth defects associated with prenatal alcohol exposure may include abnormalities of the heart, kidneys, bones, hearing, or a combination of these.

The children with FASD may also have:

• low birth weight or short stature compared to similarly healthy newborns
• facial deformities such as small eyes and a thin mouth
• hyperactive behaviors
• learning difficulties
• developmental disorders, such as delayed speech and language development
• sleep problems in infancy
• vision or hearing problems
• heart, kidney, or bone problems

There is no cure for it. FASDChildren who are diagnosed early and receive appropriate care are more likely to have better outcomes compared to neglected cases.