Fact Sheets

Key Facts on Alcohol and Pregnancy

There is no safe amount or type of alcohol to consume during pregnancy.  Any amount of alcohol, even if it’s just one glass of wine, passes from the mother to the baby.  It makes no difference if the alcohol is wine, beer, or liquor (vodka, rum, tequila, etc.)

A developing baby can’t process alcohol.  Developing babies lack the ability to process alcohol with their liver, which is not fully formed.  They absorb all of the alcohol and have the same blood alcohol content as the mother.

Alcohol causes more harm than heroin or cocaine during pregnancy.  The Institute of Medicine says, “Of all the substances of abuse (including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana), alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.”

Alcohol used during pregnancy can result in FASD.  An estimated 40,000 newborns each year are affected by FAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or have FASD, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, with damage ranging from major to subtle.

1 in 100 babies have FASD, nearly the same rate as Autism.  FASD is more prevalent than Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, SIDS, Cystic Fibrosis, and Spina Bifida combined. Alcohol use during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities.

About NOFAS – July 31, 2012
General Information about NOFAS

FASD: What Everyone Should Know – July 31, 2012
General Information about FASD

FASD Identification - February 16, 2006
How to recognize FASD and guidelines for screening.

FASD Identification (Russian) - April 5, 2006
Russian language version

FASD Intervention - February 16, 2006
Interventions for people with FASD throughout the Lifespan.

FASD Intervention (Russian) - April 5, 2006
Russian language version

FASD Prevention - February 16, 2006
Strategies for reducing alcohol use during pregnancy and challenges for FASD prevention.

FASD Prevention (Russian) - April 5, 2006
Russian language version

FASD: What Everyone Should Know (Russian) - April 5, 2006
Russian language version.

FASD: What OB-GYNs should know about alcohol use during pregnancy. – February 16, 2006
What OB-GYNs should know about drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

FASD: What Policy Makers Should Know - February 16, 2006
How policy makers can help prevent FASD and support affected families.

FASD: What School Systems Should Know About Affected Students - February 16, 2006
How educators can address the special learning needs and behavioral problems to help children with FASD reach their maximum potential.

FASD: What School Systems Should Know About Prevention – February 16, 2006
How school systems and teachers can help prevent FASD.

FASD: What the Business Community Should Know - February 16, 2006
Tips for how the business community can help individuals with FASD have successful work experiences.

FASD: What the Faith Community Should Know - February 16, 2006
How the faith community can help prevent FASD and support affected families.

FASD: What the Foster Care System Should Know - February 16, 2006
How the foster care system can help identify and support children with FASD.

FASD: What the Health Care System Should Know - February 16, 2006
Tips for health care providers on how to help prevent FASD.

FASD: What the Justice System Should Know - February 16, 2006
Behavioral impairments due to FASD make affected individuals more likely to get in trouble with the law. This fact sheet provides tips on how the justice system can respond to and help people with FASD.

FASD: What the Media Should Know - February 16, 2006
How the mass media can help disseminatie messages about preventing FASD.

FASD: What the Substance Abuse Treatment System Should Know - February 16, 2006
How treatment programs can help educate highrisk women about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy.

FASD: What Young People Should Know – February 16, 2006
How young people can help prevent FASD.

PSA: Alcohol and Pregnancy - February 22, 2006
Windows Media Low Resolution

PSA: Infinite Power - February 22, 2006
Quicktime High Resolution. This award winning PSA emphasizes the importance of a womans role in the health of her baby and features multi-talented artist Gina Loring, best known as the top ranking poet from the 2002 National Poetry Slam, Russell Simmons HBO Def Poetry Jam and BETs Lyric Cafe.