Alcohol Effects on a Fetus
Friday, April 18, 2008

Expectant mothers who drink alcohol can pose dangers to their unborn baby. Dr. Ken Davis discusses some of the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure in today’s 60 Second Housecall.

An expectant mother who drinks alcohol while she is pregnant may be harming her unborn baby. Alcohol can pass from the mother’s blood into the baby’s blood, causing damage and affecting the growth of the baby’s cells. Brain and spinal cord cells are those most likely to be damaged.

The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder describes the range of alcohol effects on an unborn child. The problems range from mild to severe. Alcohol can cause a child to have physical or mental problems that may last all of his life.

The effects of alcohol include:

�   Odd facial features

�   Growth problems

�   Learning and behavior problems, and

�   Birth defects

Although the risk is higher with heavy alcohol use, any amount of alcohol may affect your unborn baby. You can prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by not drinking at all while you are pregnant.

For North Mississippi Medical Center, I’m Dr. Ken Davis.