Even low levels of alcohol use during pregnancy are linked to changes in unborn babies

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of severe neurodevelopmental impairments caused by alcohol exposure before birth.

People with FASD can experience a wide variety of challenges including difficulties with physical coordination, language, memory, learning, executive function, behaviour and birth defects.

The severity and type of these impairments can vary significantly from person to person – making FASD a spectrum condition.

How much is too much?

While it’s well-known that alcohol crosses the placenta and can interfere with development and growth of a baby’s brain and other organs, the nuances of how occasional or minimal drinking impacts fetal development have remained unclear.

Although the risk of harm to the baby generally increases...