Describe the health consequences to the fetus of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
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If a woman chooses to drink during pregnancy, she may cause serious harm to her developing offspring. Alcohol slows nutrient and oxygen delivery to the fetus, thereby retarding growth and development. Alcohol also may displace nutrient dense foods in the mother's diet. Although the most severe damage occurs during the first 12 to 16 weeks of pregnancy, when organs are undergoing major developmental steps, consuming alcohol at any time during pregnancy can cause lifelong damage.
The alcohol-related health consequences are known collectively as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). An individual with an FASD may experience a range of effects, including facial malformation (Fig. 8-8), growth retardation (including a smaller than normal brain), birth defects, lifelong learning disabilities, a short attention span, and hyperactivity. The most serious FASD is known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Individuals with FAS have facial malformations, growth deficits, and central nervous system problems.
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