Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have significant negative impacts on fetal development, leading to a range of disorders known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) [2][3]. FASDs are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy [2]. These conditions can affect each person in different ways, and can include physical problems and difficulties with behavior and learning [2].
The most severe form of FASD is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which is characterized by distinct facial features, growth problems, and central nervous system (CNS) damage [3]. The symptoms of FAS are lifelong, and can include intellectual disabilities, problems with vision or hearing, and problems with heart, kidneys, or bones [3].
The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can also lead to other FASDs, such as Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) [2]. ARND is characterized by problems with behavior and learning, while ARBD involves physical abnormalities [2].
The impact of alcohol on fetal development is due to the fact that when a woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby [3]. The alcohol in a woman's bloodstream passes through the placenta and to the fetus, and because a fetus's liver is not yet developed, it cannot process alcohol as efficiently as an adult [3]. This can lead to the accumulation of alcohol in the fetus's bloodstream, which can interfere with the development of the fetus's organs and central nervous system [3].
In conclusion, alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have significant and lifelong impacts on fetal development, leading to a range of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) [2][3]. It is recommended that women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not drink alcohol [3].
Sources:
[1] <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ALCOHOL>
[2] <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders>
[3] <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826810/>