At a Glance

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) can occur in individuals who were exposed to alcohol before birth. Prenatal alcohol exposure can carry significant risks for a developing baby. Alcohol can disrupt prenatal development at any stage during pregnancy, including at the earliest stages, often before a woman knows that she is pregnant.

Prenatal alcohol exposure is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the United States. It can cause a range of intellectual and behavioral problems, which appear at any time during childhood and last a lifetime.