The Effects of Fetal Alcohol Symdrome

Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy put their unborn baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome has many negative effects on mental and physical development.

Growth

• Growth deficiency is an effect of fetal alcohol syndrome. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can lead to significantly below average weight and height.

Facial Features

• Fetal alcohol syndrome causes facial abnormalities, including flattened cheekbones, small eye openings, small head size, and a flattened groove between the upper lip and nose.

Neurological

• Neurological problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are highly likely to some degree. These impairments include epilepsy, motor skill impairment, hearing loss and clumsiness.

Functional

• Depending on severity, fetal alcohol syndrome can affect a person's everyday ability to function. These effects include behavior problems, learning difficulties, poor memory and poor socialization skills.

Brain Development

• During the first trimester, alcohol interferes with brain development of the fetus. This developmental interference causes deficits within the brain and structural deformities.