In the United States, the Centres for Disease Control in Prevention state that 1 in 10 women reports using alcohol during pregnancy—3.3 million American women are at risk of exposing their unborn baby to alcohol [2]. The Canadian Public Health Agency advises that “there is no safe amount, and no safe time, to drink alcohol during pregnancy.” [1] The CDC expands this to note that there is also no safe amount of alcohol to be consumed when trying to become pregnant [2.1]. Alcohol passes through the mother’s bloodstream, through the umbilical cord, and into the body of the unborn fetus—all types of alcohol are equally harmful. [2.1]

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder includes both diagnoses of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND), and Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD) [1]. The term Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) was previously used but removed from diagnostic terms in 1996, per the CDC [2]. These conditions cause varying impacts on the brain and body. There is no cure for FASDs, and they have lifelong impact on individuals with these disorders and their families. FASD can affect a person’s physical, intellectual and emotional health, causing physical health, brain, and social issues.ranging from mild to severe [1].

FASDs result in the following symptoms. Not all FASDs include all of the below symptoms as the impacts of alcohol will vary from individual to individual based on a myriad of factors [2.1]:

• Abnormal facial features (smooth ridge between nose and upper lip, unlike the two bumps typical of most individuals)
• Small head
• Short stature
• Low body weight
• Kidney and heart problems
• Bone problems
• Vision and hearing problems
• Poor coordination

• Inattention and hyperactivity (ADHD-like symptoms)
• Learning disabilities
• Intellectual disability or low IQ
• Poor reasoning, judgement and memory

• Problems with vision
• Hearing impairment
• Speech and language delays