Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of physical and mental birth defects that can occur when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy . When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, such as beer, wine or mixed drinks, so does her baby. Alcohol crosses the placenta to the developing baby. As a result, the baby may suffer lifelong damage. FAS is characterized by brain damage, facial deformities and growth deficits. Heart, liver and kidney defects are also common, as are vision and hearing problems. People with FAS have difficulty learning, paying attention, remembering, and problem solving. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term describing all the effects that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disorders with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. FASD covers other terms such as: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – the only diagnosis made by doctors. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ALND) - reserved for people with functional or cognitive impairments related to prenatal alcohol exposure, including reduced head size at birth, structural brain abnormalities, and set of behavioral and mental anomalies. Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ABR) – describes physical defects related to prenatal alcohol exposure, including malformations of the heart, skeleton, kidneys, ears, and eyes. Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) – a term commonly used to describe people exposed to alcohol whose condition does not meet all criteria. Criteria for a FAS Diagnosis What are the statistics and facts about FAS and FASD? FASD is... middle of paper ...... mother drinks too much alcohol during pregnancy. A baby born with FAS may be seriously disabled and require special care throughout their life. Some babies with alcohol-related birth defects, including short stature, lower birth weight, and other deficiencies, do not have all of the classic symptoms of FAS. These symptoms are sometimes called fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Researchers do not all agree on the precise distinctions between FAS and FAE. Cause of the problem: Alcohol in the blood of a pregnant woman travels to the fetus by crossing the placenta. There, alcohol interferes with the fetus's ability to receive enough oxygen and nourishment for the normal development of cells in the brain and other organs of the body. Possible symptoms of FAS: Growth deficiencies: small height and body weight, slower than normal development, and inability to catch. up.