Fetal alcohol syndrome can lead to abnormal appearances, short height, and low birth weight. They can also suffer problems in school, have trouble with the law, and are in jail more frequently. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Surveys from the United States, have found about 10% of pregnant women have drank in the last month and 20% to 30% drank at some point during the pregnancy. About 4% of women who are pregnant have alcohol use disorder. The risk of problems depends on the amount, frequency, and when during pregnancy alcohol is consumed. Other risk factors include an older mother, smoking, and a mother who has poor nutrition. There is no safe amount or safe time to drink during pregnancy.
