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How Much Alcohol Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

How Much Alcohol Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
 

Alcohol is a common, yet dangerous, substance that can cause various health defects.

Not only does alcohol negatively affect those who are not pregnant, but it can have horrible effects on the mother and her baby if consumed at all during pregnancy. In 2019, CDC researchers found that around 1 in 9 pregnant women reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days.1 Any amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can be life-threatening to the mother and her child.

At our rehab facility in Pompano Beach, we provide addiction treatment for different kinds of substance abuse. We know how much alcohol causes fetal alcohol syndrome and that drinking while pregnant is dangerous. Regardless of pregnancy, alcohol abuse is hazardous and can lead to health conditions that may be permanent. Anyone who is struggling with alcohol abuse can seek addiction treatment at our facility.


What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that occurs in children exposed to alcohol while they’re still in their mother’s womb. Fetal alcohol syndrome can result in a lack of physical and mental development in the child. The issues that result from fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child and depends on the amount of alcohol the mother consumed while pregnant. Health defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are permanent.

Alcoholic fetal syndrome symptoms include:2

  • Deformities of the joints, limbs, or fingers
  • Lack of physical growth
  • Vision difficulties
  • Hearing problems
  • Small head
  • Heart defects
  • Kidney defects
  • Learning disorders
  • Lack of coordination
  • Poor memory
  • Inability to pay attention for long periods of time
  • Trouble processing information
  • Difficulty with problem-solving
  • Mood swings

There is no limit to how much alcohol causes fetal alcohol syndrome; the consumption of alcohol is never safe for women while they’re pregnant. Drinking alcohol while pregnant puts your health and your baby’s health at risk. People who struggle with alcohol abuse can avoid health conditions like fetal alcohol syndrome by beginning their addiction treatment with an alcohol detox.


How Drinking Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A lot of people wonder how much drinking causes fetal alcohol syndrome, but there is no correct amount of alcohol a woman can drink while pregnant; alcohol should never be consumed during pregnancy. Alcohol causes fetal alcohol syndrome by entering the bloodstream, and eventually reaches the fetus through the placenta. Because babies metabolize alcohol slower than adults do, their blood alcohol concentrations increase and stay high when they absorb alcohol. This prevents oxygen from reaching the baby, which disrupts their growth. Permanent brain damage and other physical defects result from drinking alcohol while pregnant.2

At Banyan Treatment Centers, we know the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant. No amount of alcohol is safe for a woman to drink while she is pregnant. For individuals who struggle with alcohol abuse, we advise them to get help with our alcohol addiction treatment and get closer to a sober future.


If you or a loved one need drug or alcohol addiction treatment, get help now. Call us now at 888-280-4763 to begin your treatment.

Sources:

  1. CDC- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)
  2. MC- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
 
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.