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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by alcohol exposure at any stage of pregnancy, with no known safe level of drinking. Even small amounts, such as 1–2 drinks per occasion or 3–4 drinks per week, can increase the risk of FAS.
A 2017 systematic review found that about 1 in 67 women who drink during pregnancy has a child diagnosed with FAS. The safest way to protect your baby is to avoid alcohol completely during pregnancy.
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, Ardu offers the support and treatment you need. Reach out to our alcohol rehab center for a healthier future for both you and your child.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a serious, lifelong condition that occurs when an unborn baby is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. It’s the most severe form of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a range of conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Alcohol quickly crosses the placenta and enters the fetus’s bloodstream. Because a developing fetus can’t break down alcohol effectively, it remains in their system longer and causes harm. This exposure disrupts normal fetal development, especially brain growth and function, during critical periods of pregnancy.
The severity of FAS is different for everyone and is influenced by the amount and timing of alcohol exposure during pregnancy. There’s no cure for FAS, but early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes.
A 2023 comprehensive review reveals that in the United States, fetal alcohol syndrome affects 6 to 9 out of every 1,000 births. The broader category of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders is even more prevalent, ranging from 24 to 48 cases per 1,000 births. This translates to an estimated 1.1% to 5% of U.S. children potentially having FASD.
FAS and FASD rates vary across different populations. Higher risks are observed among groups with lower socioeconomic status and certain racial and ethnic minorities. The situation is particularly alarming among children in foster care, where FAS rates reach as high as 1.5%.
Despite the information available about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy, moms-to-be are still reaching for alcohol. The review also reveals that about 1 in 13 pregnant women say they’ve had a drink. This shows we’ve got more work to do in getting the message across.
Ardu Recovery Center offers specialized programs for expectant mothers struggling with alcohol use disorder (AUD), including safe detox, tailored counseling, and ongoing support. If you’re pregnant and finding it hard to quit drinking, we are here to help you create a healthier future for both you and your baby.
Fetal alcohol syndrome manifests through a diverse array of physical, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms.
These outward signs are often the most noticeable indicators of prenatal alcohol exposure:
People with FAS may struggle with behavioral challenges that impact their daily lives. These symptoms include:
The cognitive effects of prenatal alcohol exposure include:
While these symptoms are associated with FAS, their presence alone doesn’t guarantee a diagnosis. FAS shares many characteristics with other conditions. For example, the attention issues and learning difficulties common in FAS can mirror symptoms of ADHD or specific learning disorders. Similarly, some of the physical traits seen in FAS, such as certain facial features or growth deficiencies, may also occur in genetic syndromes.
Many adolescents and adults with fetal alcohol syndrome often struggle with substance abuse, including alcohol dependency. At Ardu, we address this complex issue through our medically supervised detox, cognitive behavioral therapy tailored for FAS-related challenges, and dual diagnosis treatment to manage both addiction and potential co-occurring mental health issues often associated with FAS.
We’ve already discussed some general behavioral challenges associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. Still, behavioral issues are often the most prominent and persistent signs of FAS, even when physical features are subtle or absent. These behaviors impact a person’s ability to function in daily life, affecting education, relationships, and employment.
Behaviors commonly seen in people with FAS are:
Not all individuals with FAS will exhibit these behaviors. With proper support and interventions, many can lead fulfilling lives, pursue education, maintain relationships, and achieve career success.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a lifelong condition. There is no cure, but early and ongoing treatment can manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life for those affected. A range of therapies and interventions are available to support children and adults with FAS in overcoming developmental, behavioral, and social challenges.
With the right treatment plan and ongoing support, people with FAS can develop essential life skills and lead fulfilling lives. If alcohol addiction is part of the challenge, Ardu offers specialized rehab services to help you take control of your life.
Our comprehensive addiction treatment is tailored to individuals and families affected by fetal alcohol syndrome and anyone else struggling with addiction. Our programs include:
We offer both inpatient and outpatient rehab services.
We also provide education on the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy and support for those affected by FAS. Our goal is to help individuals break free from addiction, prevent future cases of FAS, and support those living with its effects.
To learn more about our specialized drug and alcohol addiction programs or those seeking to prevent alcohol-related birth defects, contact Ardu online or via phone (801-872-8480). Our admissions team will work with you to determine the most appropriate treatment path, whether you’re struggling with alcohol dependency while pregnant, planning to conceive, or dealing with the effects of FAS in your life.
We’re committed to providing compassionate, effective treatment that takes into account the unique needs of those impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure.
But don’t just take our word for it—our track record speaks for itself.
“…My daughter is in Ardu and she tells me how much she loves it there. As a mother of a person with both mental health and addiction issues, I was of course scared. I wanted her to be in a place that had good people, clean, intensive care… I am at peace knowing that she is in good hands and is learning techniques to become and stay clean.”
Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Drinking alcohol in the first month of pregnancy can cause serious damage. The first month of pregnancy is the most crucial time for fetal development, with many important processes happening before you might even know you’re pregnant. Maternal alcohol consumption during these earliest stages can interfere with fetal brain development and increase the risk of developmental disabilities. Even moderate drinking can lead to lifelong effects.
Healthcare providers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly advise against any alcohol during pregnancy. There’s no known safe amount or time to drink when you’re expecting. If you’re trying to conceive or think you might be pregnant, avoid alcoholic beverages entirely.
If you drank before realizing you were pregnant, stop immediately and talk to your healthcare provider. Early alcohol exposure can increase risks, but many women in this situation go on to have healthy babies. The impact depends on how much you drank, when, and your genetics.
Be honest about your alcohol consumption. Your doctor can assess your situation and recommend appropriate care. They might suggest extra screenings to check fetal development. The good news is that stopping alcohol use at any point during pregnancy can lower the risk of adverse outcomes for your baby.
Diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome isn’t always straightforward and may not be obvious right at birth. Some signs might be noticeable early on. These include:
Many symptoms, especially those related to behavior and development, become clearer as the child grows.
Diagnosis often happens during early childhood, typically between ages 3 and 10, when learning and behavioral issues become more apparent. Healthcare providers use different methods to assess physical features, growth, and development. In some cases, FAS might not be diagnosed until the teenage years or even adulthood.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is associated with heavy drinking during pregnancy, but there’s no known safe amount of alcohol for pregnant women. Even a few drinks, especially during critical periods of fetal development, could potentially cause harm. As little as one drink per week might affect fetal brain development. The risk increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumed. Binge drinking (4 or more drinks at once) is particularly dangerous because of high blood alcohol levels. FAS is the most severe form of alcohol-related birth defects, but fewer adverse effects can occur with lower levels of exposure.
The likelihood of fetal alcohol syndrome varies based on:
A 2023 study estimates that FAS affects about 6 to 9 out of every 1,000 births in the United States. The broader category of FASD is more common, affecting 24 to 48 per 1,000 births. About 1 in 67 women who drink any alcohol during pregnancy can have a child with FAS, increasing to 1 in 23 for heavy drinkers.
Alcohol can affect a fetus from the very earliest stages of pregnancy, even before a woman knows she’s pregnant. The first few weeks after conception are a critical period for fetal development, with rapid cell division and the formation of major organs. Exposure to alcohol during this time can interfere with these processes and cause developmental abnormalities.
The fetal brain is particularly vulnerable to alcohol throughout pregnancy, but especially in the first trimester. Even low levels of alcohol consumption in these early weeks can impact fetal development and cause alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders as the child grows older. Healthcare providers recommend avoiding alcohol completely when trying to conceive or when there’s a chance of pregnancy.
Drinking at 3 months pregnant is risky. By this point, you’re well into the first trimester, a period in which major organs, including the brain, heart, and central nervous system, are forming and growing rapidly. Alcohol consumption during this time can interfere with these processes and lead to long-term developmental issues. Even though the risk of physical birth defects may be lower than in the earliest weeks, alcohol can still have significant impacts on fetal brain development.
Ruling out FAS involves a comprehensive evaluation by healthcare professionals. This typically includes:
Healthcare providers might use diagnostic tools such as the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code or other standardized criteria. FAS can be challenging to diagnose, especially if there’s no confirmed history of prenatal exposure to alcohol. Sometimes, other tests might be needed to rule out other conditions.
If FAS is suspected but can’t be confirmed, a child might be diagnosed with another fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome often have distinctive facial features, which are the main diagnostic criteria. These include:
Other facial characteristics might include a low nasal bridge, epicanthic folds (skin folds covering the inner corner of the eye), and a small chin.
These features can be subtle and may become less noticeable as a child grows older. Not all children with FAS will have all these features. These facial characteristics are most reliably identified by trained healthcare professionals.
Facial features are just one aspect of FAS diagnosis, which also considers growth deficiencies, central nervous system problems, and confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure.
Popova, S., Lange, S., Probst, C., Gmel, G., & Rehm, J. (2017). Estimation of national, regional, and global prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy and fetal alcohol syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(3), e290-e299. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30021-9
Hur, Y. M., Choi, J., Park, S., Oh, S. S., & Kim, Y. J. (2022). Prenatal maternal alcohol exposure: Diagnosis and prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome. Obstetrics & Gynecology Science, 65(5), 385-394. https://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.22123
Popova, S., Charness, M. E., Burd, L., Crawford, A., Hoyme, H. E., Mukherjee, R. A., Riley, E. P., & Elliott, E. J. (2023). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 9(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-023-00420-x
Sambo, D., & Goldman, D. (2022). Genetic Influences on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Genes, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14010195
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