1. UNDERSTANDING PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE
FASD
FAS

2. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Warning
Alcohol consumed during pregnancy increases the risk of alcohol-related birth defects…
Growth deficiencies
Facial abnormalities
Central nervous system impairment
Leading known cause of mental retardation in the U.S.
Behavioral disorders
Impaired intellectual development
No amount of alcohol consumption can be considered safe during pregnancy

3. Alcohol can damage a fetus at any trimester of pregnancy
Damage can occur before a woman knows that she is pregnant
Alcohol-related birth defects are completely PREVENTABLE
FASD
FAS

4. FASD: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Spectrum of disorders caused by prenatal alcohol exposure that includes
Physical disabilities
Mental disabilities
Behavioral disabilities
Learning disabilities
Range from mild to severe, can last a lifetime

5. FAS: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Most severe end of the FASD spectrum
Three major diagnostic criteria
Distinctive, abnormal facial features
Growth deficiencies
Central nervous system problems

6. Physical Signs of FAS Small head circumference Flat midface
Small eye sockets
Short nose
Smooth philtrum
Thin upper lip
Low nasal bridge
Eyelid fold
Low ears
Underdeveloped jaw

7. Non-Physical Signs of FAS
Learning disabilities
Attention deficits
Hyperactivity
Poor impulsive control
Poor social skills
Language difficulties
Memory deficits

8. Severe Injury to the Developing Brain

9. FAS Can Be Diagnosed… Difficult to diagnose because
Damage can be subtle
No one test
Misdiagnosed
Genetic & environmental factors can cause similar disabilities/abnormalities

10. Facts
1 in 100 babies (40,000 babies annually) is born with some effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
1 in 1,000 babies is born with FAS
FAS costs up to $6 billion
At least 1 out of every 5 pregnant women uses alcohol/drugs.

11. All Types of Alcoholic Beverages Should Be Avoided
A standard drink = .60oz of pure alcohol
One 12oz beer or wine cooler
One 5oz glass of wine
One 1.5oz shot of liquor
No safe amount!

12. How Alcohol Reaches the Fetus
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it moves across the placenta into the fetus’s bloodstream through the umbilical cord.
Fetus’s blood alcohol level twice the amount of the mother
Babies are also vulnerable while breastfeeding through the breast milk
Sperm can also be damaged by alcohol and can cause a miscarriage

13. How Alcohol Reaches the Fetus

14. What Can We Do? Stop drinking, if pregnant or could become pregnant
Educate about the dangers
Help families find medical, county, and community resources

15. UNDERSTANDING PRENATAL DRUG EXPOSURE

16. Drug Categories Prescription Drugs Nonprescription Drugs Social Drugs
Illicit Drugs
Dietary supplements

17. What is a Teratogen?
An agent that causes physical or developmental defects in an unborn child.
Alcohol
Mercury
Nicotine
Drugs

18. How Do Drugs Reach an Unborn Child?
Drugs move across the placenta into the fetus’s bloodstream through the umbilical cord.

19. Using Drugs Increases the Risk of…
Prenatal death
Premature birth
Miscarriage
Birth defects
Low birth weight
Small head size
Neurobehavioral symptoms

20. Withdrawal Symptoms
A newborn who was exposed to drugs before birth shows the following signs…
Tremors
Sleeplessness
Muscle spasms
Feeding difficulties

21. Short-Term & Long-Term Effects
Breathing problems
Cerebral palsy
Hearing/vision problems
Irritability
Poor fine motor skills
Reduced cognitive ability
Lack of social skills
Delayed language development
Hyperactivity
Mood swings/loss of control
Shorter attention span

22. What Can We Do? Stop using all drugs Educate
Support from community programs

23. A Closer Look at Exposure to Alcohol & Drugs
FAS Manikin
Drug-affected Demo