The National Exchange Club Foundation, in collaboration with Double Arc (Applied Research & Collaboration for Children Affected by At-Risk Conditions), is dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of drinking while pregnant. The Foundation has implemented a national campaign by distributing literature to parents, pregnant women, Lamaze classes, OB/GYN offices and planned parenthood agencies throughout hundreds of communities. To receive a complimentary Fetal Alcohol Syndrome brochure, contact the Foundation office at 800.924.2643.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a leading cause of mental retardation. FAS is a cluster of birth defects that develop in infants of women who consume alcoholic beverages while pregnant. Defects include prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency, facial malformations, central nervous system dysfunction and varying degrees of major organ malfunctions. When mothers drink alcohol while pregnant, their babies could have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). FAS and FAE are a group of birth defects that have no cure. People with FAS and FAE have a range of problems as severe as being mentally retarded to less visible problems like difficulty paying attention in school. The diagnosed cases of FAS is estimated to be one to three per 1,000 live births. One in 100 Americans is affected by FAS/FAE. There is no know safe amount of alcohol for a pregnant woman. When a woman drinks, her baby drinks because the alcohol passes directly through the placenta to the baby.

Symptoms of FAS

> Infancy: low birth weight irritability, feeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, alcohol          withdrawal, strong startle reflex
> Facial malformations: small eye slits, thin upper lip, low nasal ridge, small jaw
>Neurological dysfunction: attention deficit, memory deficit, hyperactivity, difficulty with  abstract concepts and problem solving
>Organ/ body dysfunction:  muscle problems, bone and joint problems, genital defects, heart defects, kidney defects
> Mental retardation, developmental delays
> Behavioral problems
> Growth deficiencies
> Vision problems
> Dental abnormalities
> Hearing problems
> Epilepsy

During pregnancy, how much alcohol is too much?

No level of drinking has been proven safe. The pattern of FAS usually occurs in offspring of chronic alcohol abusers, most often in women who drink four to five drinks daily or more. However, it has occurred in women who drink less. FAE can occur in babies of women who drink moderately or lightly during pregnancy. Binge drinking of more than five drinks on any occasion is one of the strongest predictors of later behavioral and learning problems, developmental delays and mental deficits in those prenatally exposed to alcohol.

FAS Facts

> FAS is a pattern of  birth defects that result from drinking alcohol during pregnancy, It occurs in one out of every 750 births.
> FAS is the number one known cause of mental retardation in the United States, and one of the three leading causes of birth defects.
> Each year, more than 40,000 American babies are born with defects because their mother drank alcohol when pregnant.

What other problems can drinking during pregnancy cause?

Consuming alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, low birth weight, stillbirth and death in early infancy. Heavy drinkers are two to four times more likely to have a miscarriage between the fourth and sixth month of pregnancy than are nondrinkers. Heavy drinkers are also two to three times more likely to lose their babies during the perinatal period, from the 28th week of pregnancy through the first week after birth.

Can FAS be prevented?

Yes. FAS and FAE are both 100 percent preventable. When a woman stays away from alcohol during pregnancy, her  baby will not have FAS or FAE. Women planning a pregnancy need to stop drinking alcohol before trying to conceive and should not drink throughout the pregnancy and nursing.Women who drink and have an unplanned pregnancy need to quit drinking as soon as they suspect they are pregnant. Heavy drinkers need to avoid pregnancy until they think they can stay away from alcohol for the nine months from conception to birth.