Pregnancy Forum - Fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol use

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Q: Fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol use

asked by: DoctorQuestion on August 4th, 2008

I may be pregnant. Last week I consumed way more alcohol than normal. 20 drinks. What are the chances that this could cause fetal alcohol syndrome?

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 5th, 2008

Fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol use

First, you can check if you are really pregnant or not!

Alcohol is a substance that can damage the fetus and should be avoided during the pregnancy. Alcohol causes severe fetal damage and anomalies (fetal alcohol syndrome) if used after the 4th week of pregnancy.

If any damaging factor (including alcohol) acts during the first 4 weeks of the pregnancy it will either completely destroy the embryo (very early miscarriage) or won’t cause any damage at all. Because your eventual pregnancy is not older than 4 weeks you can’t have fetal alcohol syndrome.

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Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 5th, 2008

Pregnancy Answer A4533

Comments (1)

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