Frequently asked questions about Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Yes. FASD and FAS are 100% preventable by avoiding alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol consumed by the mother passes to the foetus through the umbilical cord. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her foetus.

No. No alcohol at all should be consumed from when a woman decides to become pregnant until she stops breastfeeding.

There is no cure for FASD. However, identifying children with these disorders and intervening as soon as possible can help them to reach their full potential.

There is no specific treatment for the neurodevelopmental damage associated with FASD. The damage that alcohol causes to the brain is permanent, however the resulting symptoms can be treated. It is essential to make a diagnosis as early as possible.

If you think your child may have foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, share your concerns with your paediatrician and ask to be referred to a specialist (an expert in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders), for example a paediatrician specialising in child developmental, a child psychologist or a clinical geneticist.

Symptoms may be cognitive, behavioural, or both. The most frequent are problems with memory, comprehension, adaptation and emotional management. Not all people affected by FASD have the same symptoms or the same level of impairment. 
 

It allows you to understand what is happening, and helps any intervention, for example psychological intervention, to be adapted. 
 

It is necessary to seek professional support (from a psychologist, a psychiatrist, etc.), not only for the child but also for the family.

No. Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes obvious brain damage, but in adopted children, neglect must also be taken into account, as this also causes developmental disorders of the nervous system.

It is true that FASD is a chronic condition and if undiagnosed and untreated, the impairments it causes can lead to secondary disabilities in adult life: academic failure, mental health problems, legal problems, institutionalisation, inappropriate sexual behaviour, substance abuse, situations of disability, dependency and unemployment. But the prognosis improves significantly when early and targeted symptomatic and adaptive interventions are employed. Early diagnosis improves the quality of life of those affected and of their families, by reducing secondary disabilities. 
 

FASD can cause disability. It is advisable to apply for a disability in all cases, even for those who are of legal age.

Diagnosis is based on internationally established clinical criteria. Fulfilling these criteria (all or part of them) allows each case to be classified within the FASD: full FAS, partial FAS, ARND, ARBD, or not FASD. 
 

The most important thing is to stop drinking alcohol completely after finding out you are pregnant. It is never too late to stop drinking. The foetus’ brain develops throughout pregnancy, which means that the sooner you stop drinking alcohol, the safer it will be for you and your baby. If you drank any amount of alcohol while you were pregnant, talk to your doctor about your concerns. Make sure you have regular prenatal check-ups

Drinking any type of alcohol while pregnant can affect the baby's growth and development, and could lead to FASD. This includes all types of wine, beer and mixed drinks. No type of alcohol is safe. If you have any questions about the alcohol you consume and the health risks associated with it, talk to your doctor. 
 

There is no safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed while you are pregnant, or when you want to become pregnant. Nor is there any safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause your unborn baby problems at any point during your pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. If you do not drink any alcohol during pregnancy, you can be sure that your baby does not have FASD.

Each pregnancy is different. Drinking alcohol may affect one baby more than another. You may have one healthy child, and another who is born with problems.

If you drank any amount of alcohol while you were pregnant, tell your doctor. Even if your child is not affected now, children with FASD may have a range of physical and mental disabilities that become easier to identify once the child attends school. There is no amount of alcohol that is considered safe to consume during pregnancy.

You could be pregnant and not yet be aware. You probably won't know you are pregnant until 4 to 6 weeks into the pregnancy. This means that you could have consumed alcohol and inadvertently exposed your baby. Consuming alcohol during pregnancy can also cause miscarriage and stillbirth. The best advice is to stop drinking alcohol three months before you begin trying to get pregnant.

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders are neither genetic nor inherited. If a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, her baby may be born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder. But if a woman has foetal alcohol spectrum disorder, this does not mean her own baby will too, unless she consumes alcohol during pregnancy.

Studies are currently be conducted to determine how alcohol affects male sperm. The effects are not classified as foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). FASD is specifically caused by the mother consuming alcohol during pregnancy. However, the father or the mother’s partner plays an important role. They can help women to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy.