Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

When a baby is exposed to alcohol during a pregnancy, it increases its chances of being born with fetal alcohol syndrome. When someone drinks, alcohol enters the bloodstream, which will be shared with the child. Because fetuses are considerably smaller and slower at metabolizing alcohol than an adult, this greatly affects the levels of oxygen reaching the child and subsequently his or her development - the most severe being his or her neurological development.

When a child is born with fetal alcohol syndrome, he or she may be physically deformed, mentally retarded or have other learning disabilities as well as certain behavioral problems. All of these things are considered irreversible, according to the Mayo Clinic website.

According to the Mayo Clinic website, it can be difficult to tell if a child, particularly an adopted child, was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. If a child is developing slower than his or her peers, adoptive parents may want to ask their health care provider to evaluate their child's condition.

Some women may continue to drink alcohol during pregnancy because they don't know they're pregnant. It's important to let your prenatal health care provider know if this is the case. Doctors cannot predict whether or not a child will be born with fetal alcohol syndrome because many of the symptoms are easier to identify post-birth. It's likely that a child with fetal alcohol syndrome will require heart surgery, may have a difficult time in school and develop behavioral issues. The only way to avoid this is to abstain completely from alcohol during pregnancy.