29th
Why Alcohol is Dangerous to the unborn child
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her unborn baby.
Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes through the placenta to the baby through the umbilical cord. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong disorders, known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Children with FASDs might have the following characteristics and behaviors:
* Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum) * Small head size * Shorter-than-average height * Low body weight * Poor coordination * Hyperactive behavior * Difficulty paying attention * Poor memory * Difficulty in school (especially with math) * Learning disabilities * Speech and language delays * Intellectual disability or low IQ * Poor reasoning and judgment skills * Sleep and sucking problems as a baby * Vision or hearing problems * Problems with the heart, kidney, or bones
