How Much Drinking Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

How much drinking causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Alcohol consumption, even in small amounts, can cause FAS. Alcohol is a teratogenic substance that easily penetrates the placenta and causes damage to the fetus. It restricts the growth of the brain and other organs. Maternal alcohol consumption is a well-established contributor to fetal complications such as abortion, stillbirth, premature delivery, and low birth weight¹. Other than these, the most severe consequence of drinking while expecting is the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
There are 3 ways to safely get alcohol out of your system fast, but medically supervised detox is a requirement. ChoicePoint is the right choice for pregnant women as we provide a personalized program and all the support a mother needs. Whether you want to quit alcohol, require therapy, or are looking for aftercare programs. Feel free to call 844.445.2565 for assistance. 

CALL NOW FOR FREE SCREENING

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of conditions that occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy². These conditions include physical problems, cognitive and behavioral impairments, or a combination of all these issues. FASD includes various conditions:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
• Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)
• Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)

In this blog, our primary focus is on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). 

Side Effects Of Abusing Alcohol While Expecting A Child

How Many Drinks Can Cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Healthcare practitioners advise not to consume any amount of alcohol during pregnancy. However, the intake of higher levels of alcohol by the expectant mother causes severe forms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)⁴. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the impacts of alcohol consumption on the fetus are primarily influenced by the following 5 common factors: 

1. Amount of Alcohol Consumed

Although no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy, regular drinking increases and how long does alcohol stay in your system also increases the chances of harmful effects on the fetus, such as cardiac defects and immature brain development. 

2. Pattern of Drinking

Frequent and heavy drinking throughout pregnancy caused FAS. 

3. Genetic Makeup

Genetic variations of the mothers determine how their bodies are going to process alcohol, fetal development, and the effect of alcohol on the mother. 

4. Maternal Health Condition

Pregnant women’s health and nutrition can not be a direct controlling factor for FAS⁵. However, good overall maternal health conditions can minimize the risks of FAS. For instance, managing pre-existing health issues like hypertension, which have an impact on fetal well-being, and promoting maternal care, including shunning alcohol. 

5. Exposure During the Pregnancy Stages

How many weeks pregnant does alcohol affect the fetus? Alcohol consumption during different pregnancy stages has varying impacts on the fetus.

• First Trimester: The first trimester is considered the most critical stage of fetal development. Alcohol consumption at any stage of pregnancy can hinder brain development, causing serious mental health disorders in the children. Heavy drinking during the first trimester can cause structural defects such as stunted facial development and cardiac defects.
• Second Trimester:  alcohol consumption during the second trimester leads to disrupted development and, in extreme cases, causes abortion. 
• Third Trimester: Drinking during the third trimester causes behavioral and cognitive issues. 

If you are an expecting mother and want to quit alcohol addiction, you are not too late; the ChoicePoints expecting mothers’ addiction treatment program is the best option for you to control your alcohol cravings. Reach out to our team 844.445.2565. They will answer all your queries and make your motherhood experience beautiful and secure. 

Go for the Quick Alcohol Assessment – 5 Mins

If you want to be sure about your alcohol addiction, you can carry out a quick assessment with the addiction self-assessment quiz. Thai will allow you to choose the right treatment for you. 

Free Addiction Assessment

Please note this assessment is an initial self-screening, and it is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.

Signs and Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Alcohol can disrupt the normal development of the fetus, especially the central nervous system and brain. 

7 FAS Symptoms in Infants

The following are the symptoms of FAS that infants could experience:

1. Delayed growth
2. Impaired physical features (thin upper lip, squint eyes, and a ridge between the nose and upper lip)
3. Small head size
4. Stunted growth
5. Low body weight
6. Sleep difficulties
7. Poor vision and hearing

7 Common Symptoms of FAS

The following symptoms may show in children with FAS:

1. Low IQ level
2. Delayed speech, sitting, and walking
3. Social anxiety
4. Memory issues
5. Short attention span
6. Lack of impulse control
7. Poor academic performance

5 Common FAS Symptoms in Adults

FAS symptoms remain throughout life. Later in life, they lead to secondary effects, which FAS causes. Possible secondary effects of FAS are:

1. Breaking the law.
2. Experiencing mental health problems.
3. Sexual disorientation.
4. Facing unemployment issues.
5. Going to jail or an abuse center.

As an expecting mother, your concern for your child can push you to quit alcohol cold turkey. Highly not recommended, To safely quit alcohol, we suggest you to for ChoicePoint’s medically assisted detox program to quickly flush alcohol out of your system. And help manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms under an expert’s supervision because it could be fatal.

How to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

It becomes difficult to diagnose FAS as there are no accurate tests for FAS. It is often observed that expecting women give a vague history of their alcohol consumption during pregnancy. However, pediatrics can often make a successful diagnosis by judging apparent signs and symptoms, including underdeveloped facial features, the alcohol use history of the child’s mother, and low birth weight and behavioral and cognitive issues (hyperactivity, short attention span, and poor judgment). 

How Can FAS Be Prevented? 4 Major Precautions

To prevent FAS, you simply have to quit drinking. Below are some practical tips that might help you get rid of alcohol addiction:

1. Stay Away From Alcohol During Your Childbearing Years

If you are aged 15 to 49 years and sexually active, you might have an unplanned pregnancy. In this case, it is advisable to stay away from alcohol. Alcohol consumption can cause damage in the initial weeks of pregnancy. 

2. Say No to Alcohol if You Are Trying to Conceive

If you are planning to conceive, don’t drink at all. If you’re pregnant and you haven’t quit alcohol consumption, stop as soon as possible. The sooner you say no to drinking, the better it is for the fetus. 

3. Avoid Alcohol at All Stages of Pregnancy

All three trimesters of pregnancy are crucial. Don’t even go close to alcohol during any of the stages. FAS can be prevented in children whose mothers don’t consume alcohol during pregnancy. 

4. Seek Help Before You Get Pregnant

It is ideal to get help for alcohol addiction before getting pregnant. Consult the health provider and talk about your drinking issue. Discuss your frequency and quantity of drinking and come up with a treatment plan to help you quit alcohol addiction.

Mothers’ Recommended ChoicePoint to Get Help for Alcohol Addiction 

If you are trying to conceive or you are already pregnant and addicted to alcohol, it’s never too late! ChoicePoint’s Expecting Mother treatment program is well-equipped to help you treat addiction while maintaining a healthy pregnancy. We have professionals at ChoicePoint who give you a personalized plan to help you live a sober life without compromising your baby’s health. We offer the following treatments:

• Detox program
• Medical-assisted addiction treatment
• Dual diagnosis addiction treatment program
• Intensive outpatient treatment program
• Telehealth addiction treatment program

Even thinking of getting help for addiction is the most important step towards recovery. We will provide you with immediate help; simply contact us at 844.445.2565. To offer financial assistance, we are accepting major commercial insurance plans like Aetna Rehab, BCBS Alcohol Rehab, Optum therapy rehab, and more. You can verify your insurance online and start your treatment today!

Final Thoughts: How Much Drinking Causes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Consumption of alcohol by pregnant women can cause long-term health issues. If you are pregnant and consuming alcohol, immediately stop its intake to lower the risk of FAS. You can get help from ChoicePoint. If you have been addicted to alcohol during pregnancy, seek your medical provider’s help. The early diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome can help minimize the FAS symptoms. 

Top Mothers’ Concerns About Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

1. When is it considered safe to consume alcohol during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are advised to stay away from alcohol throughout the nine months. No pregnancy stage is safe to drink as it leads to harmful consequences for the fetus, including FAS. Brain development takes place throughout pregnancy, developmental and central nervous system issues may arse as a resut of consuming alcohol. The sooner the mother gets rid of the addiction, the less severe the symptoms will be.

2. Is alcohol detox safe for pregnant women?

Detoxification is not an easy process, and doing it yourself, without any professional help, can be harmful for you and your child. You can contact ChoicePoint’s pregnant women detox program for alcohol detox. This program will help you live a drug-free life. 

3. What is the safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy?

No amount of alcohol is safe for pregnant women. There are no permissible limits set for alcohol consumption during pregnancy. 

4. Is a medication-assisted program safe for pregnant women?

Drugs used in the medication-assisted program for the treatment of addiction are safe for pregnant women. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals at ChoicePoint will never cause any threat to you and your baby’s health. Also MAT program offers drugs such as Buprenorphine that are safe for the expecting mothers. 

5. What is the physical appearance of a FAS child?

A child with FAS has a different physical appearance and does not look like a normal child. They have abnormal facial features, including an outgrowth between the upper lip and nose, small eyes, short height, and low body weight. 

6. How can you avoid FAS?

There is no such cure for FAS, but proactive intervention and preventive support services can help control FAS symptoms and give better results. The most practical method, approved by healthcare providers, is to avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy, or you can opt for alcohol detox. 

Sources

1. Popova S, Dozet D, Shield K, Rehm J, Burd L. Alcohol’s Impact on the Fetus. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 29;13(10):3452.
   https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3452 
2. Popova S, Charness ME, Burd L, Crawford A, Hoyme HE, Mukherjee RA, Riley EP, Elliott EJ. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Nature reviews Disease primers. 2023 Feb 23;9(1):11.
   https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-023-00420-x 
3. Hur YM, Choi J, Park S, Oh SS, Kim YJ. Prenatal maternal alcohol exposure: diagnosis and prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome. Obstetrics & Gynecology Science. 2022 Jul 29;65(5):385-94.
   https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1516079560 
4. Ornoy A, Ergaz Z. Alcohol abuse in pregnant women: effects on the fetus and newborn, mode of action and maternal treatment. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2010 Feb;7(2):364-79.
   https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/2/364 
5. Vorgias D, Bynum FD, Bernstein B. Fetal alcohol syndrome.
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448178/