Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) belongs to a group of disorders
called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is caused when a
woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The alcohol can cause
birth and developmental defects in the baby. These defects make
up FAS. Alcohol can cross from the mother's blood to the baby's
blood. It is passed through the placenta. Even a small amount of
alcohol can damage the fetus. Doctors do not know how much
alcohol it takes to cause defects. The risk increases with
moderate to heavy drinking and with binging. But even social
drinking may pose a danger. Any type of alcohol can cause birth
defects. Factors that increase your baby's chance of getting
FAS: - Unplanned pregnancy - Failure to recognize early
pregnancy and continuing to drink - Lack of knowledge about the
risks of drinking while pregnant - Advanced maternal age - Low
socioeconomic status Birth and developmental defects depend on
when the fetus was exposed to alcohol. Babies with FAS may have
the following physical symptoms: -