A brief overview of fetal alcohol syndrome for health professionals

Abstract

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). They cause epigenetic changes, permanent neurodevelopmental deficits, and anomalies in growth and facial structure. This article enforces the need for health and social care professionals to have a greater understanding and awareness of how FAS and FASD may impact on the individual, the family and the community, to enable them to provide the most effective preventive and supportive care possible.

Keywords: Behaviour disorder; Children, infant; Disability; FAS, FASD; Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; Fetal alcohol syndrome; Fetal developmentw; First trimester.