Regarding Research: FAS Not the Only Risk of Prenatal Drinking August 20, 2007
Reader Letters
Editor's note: This letter comments on a recent research summary, FAS Not the Only Risk of Drinking While Pregnant.
I am glad to see this has finally started coming out in the media as people working with people with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) have known this for many years.
The facial features develop during a very short period during gestation (at about 17 to 23 days - leaving room for human variability). FAS facial features occur if the pregnant woman is drinking during this short time period - so if the woman is not drinking during this week, the newborn's facial features may be quite normal.
But, she could be binge-drinking at other times and brain damage occurs then and is referred to as ARND or Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder.
These are the "invisible FAS kids" and are most often diagnosed with ADHD or ADD and medicated sometimes with the wrong medications - leading to sometimes disastrous results.
Please keep the information flowing as FASD can be preventable with the right supports in place.
Veli-Martti Rautio
Pembroke, ON
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Boston University School of Public Health 
