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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders
Background
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders: Fetal Alcohol Effects; Foetal Alcohol Effects; Foetal Alcohol syndrome; Fetal Alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was first named in 1973. At that time, a further diagnosis of fetal alcohol effects was also described. This was a milder form of the same cluster of features found in children of mothers who did not drink as heavily in pregnancy. More recently the term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) has been adopted. This is not a diagnosis but rather describes a range of features from the severe end of the spectrum, FAS, to the minor individual anomalies that often are not identified until the children start developing behavioural problems as they get older.
Debate continues as to whether light drinking is risky for the fetus. Official UK guidelines agree it is better not to drink when pregnant but if a woman does drink, she should keep her drinking to one to two units once or twice a week. A UK unit is a small glass of wine or a half a pint of ordinary strength beer.
