“No safe time, no safe amount” This is the battle cry of the CDC and other organizations who want to stress that, because it is unknown what (if any) amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy is safe, it is far better to avoid any alcohol during pregnancy than to risk the consequences.

What is known for sure is that alcohol, like many other drugs, passes through the placenta via the umbilical cord and into the developing fetus. Alcohol is what is known as a teratogen, or a drug or other substance capable of interfering with the development of a fetus, causing birth defects.

The outcome of the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can be FAS, or fetal alcohol syndrome. FAS is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects, according to the CDC. CDC studies estimate that FAS occurs at a rate of 0.2 to 1.5 % of every 1000 live births.

What is FAS? FAS encompasses a spectrum of symptoms which can vary from mild to severe. There is no cure, and the syndrome often goes unrecognized, or is misdiagnosed as another issue, such as ADHD. The effects of FAS can affect an individual’s physical, mental, social, and psychological well-being. Symptoms may include:

Abnormal facial features- smooth philtrum (the groove between the nose and upper lip), thin upper lip, decreased eye width, and small head circumference

Growth deficiency- weight or height may be significantly below average

Central nervous system dysfunction- may affect memory, communication, vision, hearing, and attention span. Children with FAS often have difficulties in school and in peer relations.

Related signs may include heart murmurs and defects, skeletal abnormalities, abnormal kidney development, and eye problems.

The CDC stresses that the key factor in preventing FAS is avoidance of all alcohol during pregnancy, since no safe amounts have been determined, and it is also believed that all stages of pregnancy are vulnerable. The effects of alcohol on male sperm are being studied, but FAS is not known to be caused by the father’s intake of alcohol. However, as the saying goes, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander, and men can support their pregnant significant others by steering clear of alcohol themselves for the duration of the pregnancy.

Related Links:

Health Tip: Bad-For-Baby Drinks from illumistream

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders from the CDC

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from the Mayo Clinic