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How can alcohol exposure during pregnancy affect fetal growth and development?
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prenatal development
An ultrasound image of a human fetus.
Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can cause a range of conditions known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), the most severe of which is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). These conditions result from the toxic effects of ethanol or its metabolite, acetaldehyde, on the developing fetus.12
The impact on development is profound and can include:
- Physical Abnormalities: Retarded growth before and after birth, microcephaly, characteristic facial features (such as small eye openings, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum), cleft palate, and defects in the heart, joints, and limbs.13
- Neurological and Cognitive Impairment: Damage to the central nervous system often leads to intellectual disability, delayed development, and behavioral issues like poor concentration and impulsiveness.14
Because it remains unclear if any amount of alcohol is safe, medical experts emphasize that women should abstain from alcohol entirely during pregnancy to prevent these irreversible congenital abnormalities.13