V1N1P9

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
What are Fetal Alcohol Effects?


"Fetal alcohol syndrome" (FAS) was
first described clinically in the early
1970's. FAS is now defined as a
constellation of symptoms occurring in
the offspring of some women who have
consumed large amounts of alcohol
during pregnancy. The syndrome
usually involves mental retardation,
small head size, small stature and a
number of other more subtle skeletal
and facial abnormalities such as wide-set
eyes. The syndrome has not been
identified in the offspring of any women
who were not active alcoholics during
pregnancy. In fact, approximately one
out of ten women who are alcoholic
during pregnancy will deliver a child
who clearly suffers from fetal alcohol
syndrome, which is said to occur in one
to two out of every 1,000 live births.
Research and physician training programs 
conducted at Boston University
School of Medicine have demonstrated
that women alcoholics can be successfully 
identified and treated, reducing the
risk and incidence of FAS.

"Fetal alcohol effects" (FAE) is used
to describe children who are thought to
have some, but not all, of the components 
of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Therefore, a child with fetal alcohol
effects might have some musculo-skeletal 
abnormalities, but be of normal
size and intelligence. Such a definition is
difficult to apply on a consistent, reliable
basis, since the diagnosis of fetal alcohol
effects is a subjective one and no single
test exists to adequately define its
presence. In fact, some experts believe
that FAE is not a valid diagnosis (i.e., it
does not truly exist) and that other
factors including nutrition, poverty,
nicotine, caffeine, and drugs may play
contributing or synergistic roles. FAE is
said, by some, to occur in the children
of some women who were binge
drinkers or who consumed lower
amounts of alcohol during pregnancy.

At this point, no data demonstrates any
ill effects in children of women who,
throughout their pregnancy, consumed
less than two glasses of wine, beer or
spirits a day. Even the most subtle
effects - such as slight average
decreases in birth weight - are seen
only in infants of women who
consumed three or more drinks per day
throughout their pregnancy. The
prenatal effects of alcohol consumption
continue to be a very controversial
subject. A great deal of disagreement
exists about what constitutes a "safe" or
"unsafe" level of alcohol consumption
during pregnancy. This concern is based
on potential - rather than proven -
effects. The best recommendation is to
consult a physician or other healthcare
practitioner about drinking and other
lifestyle factors during pregnancy.

SOURCES
Abel EL, Sokol J; Incidence of Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome and Economic Impact of FAS
Related Anomalies; Drug and Alcohol
Dependence 1987;19: 51-70.

Rosett HL, Weiner L; Alcohol and the Fetus: A
Clinical Perspective; Oxford University Press,
NewYork, NewYork, 1984.

Streissguth AP, et al.; IQ at Age 14 in Relation
to Maternal Alcohol use and Smoking During
Pregnancy; Developmental Psychology 1989;
2: 3-11.