l spectrum disorders (FADs), previously known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), are a group of different conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank while she was pregnant.
There are a wide assortment of conditions associated with FADs that range from mild severity to extremely debilitating. The symptoms a person who has FADs can experience can include:
- Abnormal facial features
- Smaller head size
- Poor ability to suck and feed as a baby
- Sleep problems as an infant
- Speech and language delays
- Low IQ and/or intellectual disability
- Vision or hearing problems
- Birth defects – heart, kidney, and/or bones
- Shorter-than-average height
- Difficulties paying attention
- Poor reasoning and judgment skills
- Low body weight
- Poor memory
- Poor coordination
- Scholastic and educational difficulties – most notably with math comprehension
- Hyperactive behaviors
- Learning disabilities
In addition to the numerous risks for the development of FADs, there are other risks for alcohol use in pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can lead to a number of quite serious consequences and risks for the baby; many of which may persist long after the child grows. Additional risks and consequences for alcohol use during pregnancy may include:
- Vision or hearing problems in the child
- Preterm labor and birth
- Low birthweight
- Persistent intellectual disabilities
- Difficulties with learning
- Behavioral problems
- Birth defects, including those that affect the brain, heart, and other vital organs
- Sleeping and feeding difficulties
- Speech and language delays
While there is no safe dose for alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the good news is that the risks of alcohol use in pregnancy can be easily avoided. Women who are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or using ineffective (or no) birth control should stay away from alcohol to reduce the risks to the developing fetus.
This includes avoiding wine, wine coolers, beer, and hard liquor as there is no proven safe amount or type of alcohol appropriate for pregnancy. While some women find out they are pregnant after they have had an occasional drink, chances are low that it will harm the developing baby.
However, it is vital to stop drinking as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. In addition, proper prenatal care is one of the most important things a mother-to-be can do for her new baby.
An obstetrician can easily answer any questions, perform tests, and help alleviate any concerns the mother-to-be may have. It is of the utmost importance that women who are pregnant steer clear from alcohol as the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy far outweigh any benefits of alcohol consumption.
About the Author: “Alcohol and Pregnancy: What are the Risks?” was written by North Tampa Behavioral Health clinical team member Lauren Hardy, M.A. Lauren has a master’s degree in counseling psychology and several years of experience in the treatment field as a research analyst at Vanderbilt University.
Site Description: North Tampa Behavioral Health provides inpatient, IOP & PHP treatment for adults & seniors suffering from addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, memory disorders & co-occurring issues.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on April 17, 2014
Published on AddictionHope.com, Helpful Resources for Alcohol Addiction