Many factors contribute to the development of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Some of the many factors contributing to whether a child will be permanently damaged during pregnancy and the mother’s alcohol use (drinking beer, wine, spirits, etc.), include the following.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / FASD
- Genetic make up of the biological mother and father
- History of alcoholism in the biological grandparents and parents
- General health of the mother
- Nutrition of the mother
- Level of prenatal care
- Trauma surrounding the pregnancy
- Amount and type of alcohol consumed*
- Time when the fetus is exposed
*NOTE: It has been found that Binge Drinking, or having 4 drinks within a 2 hour period, presents the most risk to the fetus.
This is by no means is an exhaustive list of the risk factors that can lead to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), but it is enough to realize that drinking during pregnancy is simply not worth the risk.
