



Prenatal alcohol exposure does not always result in FAS-although there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. They may also have a complex pattern of behavioral and learning problems, including difficulties with memory, attention, and judgment. In addition to mental retardation, individuals with FAS, ARND and ARBD may have other neurological deficits such as poor motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Individuals with FAS have a distinct pattern of facial abnormalities, growth deficiency and evidence of central nervous system dysfunction. What are the primary characteristics of FAS, ARND, and ARBD? Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)ĪRBD and ARND can occur in babies of women who drink moderately or lightly during pregnancy.Īlcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) describes the functional or mental impairments linked to prenatal alcohol exposure, and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD) describes malformations in the skeletal and major organ systems. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. There are 3 severities of alcohol impact on the baby: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)įetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.
