January 2023 is National Birth Defects Prevention Month!

The preventable disorder we are going to focus on in January 2023 is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, also known as FASD. 

‍FASD can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth; alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.

‍There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant. There is also no safe time to drink during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause problems for a developing baby throughout pregnancy, including before a woman knows she’s pregnant. All types of alcohol are equally harmful, including all wines and beer.

‍FASD can cause:

To prevent FASDs, a woman should avoid alcohol if she is pregnant, might be pregnant, or is considering becoming pregnant. This is because a woman could get pregnant and not know for up to 4 to 6 weeks.

‍For moreinformation click on the links below:

• Intellectual disability
• Speech and language delays
• Poor coordination
• Hyperactive behavior
• Difficulty with attention
• Poor reasoning and judgement
• Problems with the heart, kidneys and/or bones
• Unusually small head

• CDC FASD Fact Sheet
• PCHC FASD Health Promotion Activity Plan
• Health Watch Table - FASD