01/04/2022
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. These disorders range in severity and presentation, with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome being just one disorder included on the spectrum.
These disorders are the most common non-heritable cause of intellectual disability, and symptoms include deficits in cognition, social skills, and adaptive functioning, as well as physical difficulties and behavior problems.
As many as 5% of children in the general population are affected, although children in foster care, special education, juvenile corrections, and indigenous communities are at higher risk.
There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy. A study published in 2019 found that 11.5% of pregnant women in the US reported some level of alcohol use. There is no treatment for FASD.
If you or someone you know could benefit from more info on FASD, please visit www.fasdunited.org. For resources and support on alcohol cessation, visit
