<Tr> <Th> Frequency </Th> <Td> 2--5% (US, EU) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy . Problems may include an abnormal appearance, short height, low body weight, small head size, poor coordination, low intelligence, behavior problems, and problems with hearing or seeing . Those affected are more likely to have trouble in school, legal problems, participate in high - risk behaviors, and have trouble with alcohol or other drugs . The most severe form of the condition is known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Other types include partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), alcohol - related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol - related birth defects (ARBD). Some accept only FAS as a diagnosis, seeing the evidence as inconclusive with respect to other types . </P> <P> Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy . Surveys from the United States have found about 10% of pregnant women have drunk alcohol in the last month, and 20% to 30% drank at some point during the pregnancy . About 4.7% of North American women who are pregnant are alcoholics . The risk of problems depends on the amount consumed and the frequency of consumption as well as when during pregnancy the alcohol is consumed . Other risk factors include an older mother, smoking, and poor diet . There is no known safe amount or safe time to drink during pregnancy . While drinking small amounts of alcohol does not cause abnormalities in the face, it may cause behavioral issues . Alcohol crosses the blood brain barrier and both directly and indirectly affects a developing baby . Diagnosis is based on signs and symptoms in the person . </P>

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by exposure to a(n)