What Causes FASD?
FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) is caused when a developing fetus comes into contact with alcohol. This teratogen passes through the placenta and into the baby's bloodstream. Alcohol is toxic to the developing fetus and can disrupt the normal development of the brain and other organs.
Details
No Safe Amount or Time:
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There is no known safe amount of alcohol or time during pregnancy to drink, as alcohol can cause problems at any stage of pregnancy, even before a woman knows she is pregnant.
Lifelong Problems:
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FASD can lead to a range of lifelong problems, including physical, cognitive, and behavioural issues.
Preventable:
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FASD is entirely preventable if a woman chooses not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.
Spectrum of Disorders:
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FASD is not a single condition, but rather a range of disabilities that can occur due to prenatal alcohol exposure, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).