Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Vitamins Physicians have reported
that vitamins C and E, folic acid, beta-carotene and flavonoids
may protect against damage to the unborn caused by pregnant
women who abuse alcohol. Tests on rats, guinea pigs and chicken
embryos have demonstrated that the vitamins and supplements can
prevent or lessen fetal alcohol damage, according to research
presented at the annual meeting of "Fetal Alcohol Canadian
Expertise," an organization of physicians and other health
professionals. Dr. James Brien of Queen's University in
Kingston, Ontario, said "the intriguing aspect of this study is
that these vitamins can be given to mothers prenatally to try to
mitigate the effects of fetal exposure to alcohol." Earlier
research has also found that vitamins and supplements helped
reduce the damage of prenatal alcohol significantly. High doses
of vitamins C and E are routinely used in the treatment of pre-
eclampsia, or toxemia caused by water retention, in pregnant
women. However humans have not yet be