How does alcohol affect the development of a fetus?

How does alcohol affect the development of a fetus?

Alcohol can pass from the mother’s blood into the baby’s blood. It can damage and affect the growth of the baby’s cells. Brain and spinal cord cells are most likely to have damage. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes the range of alcohol effects on a child.

What are the effects of drinking alcohol while pregnant?

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases your baby’s chances of having these problems:

  • Premature birth.
  • Brain damage and problems with growth and development.
  • Birth defects, like heart defects, hearing problems or vision problems.
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (also called FASDs).
  • Low birthweight (also called LBW).

How does alcohol and drugs affect the development of human fetus?

Continued. Taking drugs during pregnancy also increases the chance of birth defects, premature babies, underweight babies, and stillborn births. Exposure to drugs such as marijuana — also called weed, ganja, dope, or pot — and alcohol before birth has been proven to cause behavior problems in early childhood.

When did drinking while pregnant become bad?

Drinking during pregnancy quickly became taboo in the United States after 1981, when the Surgeon General began warning women about the dangers of alcohol.

What effect does alcohol have on a Foetus quizlet?

Too much alcohol can cause permanent damage to the cells of a developing baby. It can also cause problems, such as miscarriages and premature birth. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy also has the ability to change the way a baby’s face, organs and brain develops.

What happens if I drink before I know I’m pregnant?

Research shows drinking while pregnant, especially in excessive amounts, can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is based on the appearance of facial abnormalities, growth problems, brain damage, and cognitive and behavioral concerns.