Alcohol & pregnancy

pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol while pregnant has been shown to cause harm

to a baby as it develops in the womb. Alcohol used during pregnancy may also lead to long-term medical problems and birth defects.

her blood and into the baby's blood, tissues, and organs.

Alcohol breaks down much more slowly in the baby's body than in an adult. That means the baby's blood alcohol level remains increased longer than the mother's. This can harm the baby and can sometimes lead to lifelong damage.

pregnancy can lead to a group of defects in the

baby known as fetal alcohol syndrome. Symptoms can include: Behavior and attention problems Heart defects Changes in the shape of the face Poor growth before and after birth Poor muscle tone and problems with movement and balance Problems with thinking and speech Learning problems

stillbirth

pregnancy. Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during

the first 3 months of pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol anytime during pregnancy can be harmful.

in children born to alcoholic women (Jones and Smith, 1973).

The main features of this pattern are pre and/or postnatal growth retardation, characteristic facial abnormalities, and central nervous system dysfunction, including mental retardation (Stratton et al., 1996).

children experiencing them to a far greater degree than others.

Signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome may include any mix of physical defects, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and problems functioning and coping with daily life.

Physical defects

Physical defects may include:
Distinctive facial

features, including wide-set eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip
Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers
Slow physical growth before and after birth
Vision difficulties or hearing problems
Small head circumference and brain size
Heart defects and problems with kidneys and bones