Fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS, was first identified in 1973 as a spectrum of disorders that can result in physical abnormalities, cognitive deficits and behavioral difficulties in children who were exposed to alcohol while in utero. According to a 2008 article in "The New York Times" by Julia Moskin, some expecting mothers feel that the occasional glass of wine poses no harm to their unborn child; however, the U.S. surgeon general and numerous medical organizations state that drinking any amount of alcohol is unsafe when you're pregnant.
FAS
FAS is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as "100 percent preventable" as long as you don't consume alcohol while pregnant. FAS in children is characterized by physical features such as a small head and other facial abnormalities, low body weight and below-average height. Delayed speech and language, learning disorders, behavioral problems, difficulty paying attention and below-average IQ also are associated with FAS. The CDC indicates that fetal alcohol syndrome is only one term used to describe problems children might experience when exposed to alcohol in in utero; children might be diagnosed with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder or alcohol-related birth defects, depending on their symptoms.
Risk Factors
A February 2005 news release from the U.S. surgeon general states that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD, encompasses the entire spectrum of potential, lifelong defects that can affect unborn children as a result of the mother drinking alcohol. Alcohol consumption that places your child at the greatest risk include drinking five or more alcoholic beverages at a time, drinking seven or more alcoholic beverages in a week and binge drinking. The statement also indicates that there is no safe amount of alcohol. Women who are pregnant or intend to become pregnant should stop drinking alcohol. Because most pregnancies are not planned, the surgeon general also discourages women in their child-bearing years from drinking.
Studies
In January 2005, Dr. Janet Golden, medical historian at Rutgers University and author of the book ''Message in a Bottle: The Making of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome," told "The New York Times" that the reason women are advised to refrain from drinking during pregnancy is that there have been no studies conducted in the United States on pregnant women for the purpose of establishing a safe level of alcohol consumption. However, the results of a British study published in the June 2010 issue of the "Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health" suggest that light drinking while pregnant might not be harmful. In fact, University College London researchers noted that the 5-year-old children of mothers who lightly drank were slightly less likely to display behavioral problems and had better cognitive skills than the children of mothers who abstained from alcohol during pregnancy.
Social and Cultural Considerations
According to CDC statistics, one out of every eight expecting mothers consumes alcohol during pregnancy, but only between 0.2 and and 1.5 instances of FAS are reported for every 1,000 live births. Moskin's "Times" article presents the sentiments of mothers of healthy children who went against the grain and drank lightly during their pregnancies. She points out that although more European countries are moving toward total alcohol abstinence during pregnancy, alcohol is viewed as just another food in some countries; in the U.S., it's considered a harmful drug. Many obstetricians tell expecting patients that an occasional glass of beer or wine isn't harmful, Moskin writes. The problem for many pregnant women is that science has not conclusively established a safe level of alcohol consumption. In her interview with the "Times," Golden states that some researchers attach risk of FAS to moderate drinking during pregnancy, while others viewed heavy alcohol consumption as problematic. When asked if she believed that women can safely drink any amount of alcohol during pregnancy, Golden declined comment.
Other Information
The CDC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Pregnancy Association all state that you should not consume any alcohol while pregnant. MayoClinic.com indicates that a single drink probably won't hurt your unborn child but goes on to recommend abstaining from alcohol entirely to avoid FAS and the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. If you're pregnant and question if your level of alcohol consumption is safe, the best person to ask is your treating physician.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy; May 2011
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and Pregnancy
- "The New York Times"; The Weighty Responsibility of Drinking for Two; J. Moskin; Nov 2006
- American Pregnancy Association: Alcohol and Pregnancy -- What You Should Know
- SurgeonGeneral.Gov: U.S. Surgeon General Releases Advisory on Alcohol Use in Pregnancy; Feb 2005
