What causes fetal alcohol syndrome and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
Many drugs can pass from the mother’s blood stream through the placenta to the fetus. Alcohol is no exception. Alcohol is broken down more slowly in the immature body of the fetus than in an adult’s body. This can cause the alcohol levels to remain high and stay in the baby’s body longer. The full picture of FAS usually occurs in babies born to alcoholic mothers, or to those who drink regularly or binge-drink. However, no amount of alcohol is safe. Even light or moderate drinking can affect the developing fetus.
