Alcohol freely crosses the placenta to the fetus (unborn baby). Because the fetus metabolises alcohol more slowly than an adult does, the blood alcohol concentrations can be higher than the mothers.
Researchers use the term teratogen when referring to alcohol. A
teratogen is a drug, chemical or even infection that interrupts or
alters the normal development of a fetus, including development of
the brain or other major organs. Other examples of teratogens
include Rubella, radiation, mercury and thalidomide.
The possible effects of fetal alcohol exposure
include:
- Brain damage
- Birth defects
- Poor growth
- Social and behavioural problems
- Delayed development
- Low IQ
Fetus or Foetus
The word 'fetus' is from Latin origins and meant offspring,
bringing forth or hatching of young. Fetus is now the Standard
English spelling throughout the world in medical journals. Where
the alternate spelling of foetus is used in a published report,
resource, website or journal article the spelling has not been
changed.
Fetal development
Gestational age refers to the length of time since the
first day of the last menstrual period.
Fetal age refers to the age of the developing baby,
counting from the estimated date of conception. The fetal age is
usually two weeks less than the gestational age.
The drawing below shows the critical times for the development of
the organs such as the brain, heart, ears and eyes in the fetus.
The weeks referred to in this image are the gestational age of the
fetus. This graphical representation has been adapted from Little
BB. 2007: Drugs and Pregnancy, A Handbook. London: Hodder Arnold.
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