Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Prenatal exposure to alcohol is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disorders in the US, according to the National Institutes of Health. Drinking during pregnancy can cause a wide range of disabilities–intellectual disabilities, speech and language delays, poor social skills or fetal alcohol syndrome–that last a lifetime.

International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day is tomorrow, September 9th. If you’re thinking about getting pregnant or already are, this is the time to know why your entire pregnancy should be alcohol-free.

North Shore-LIJ Women’s Health offers comprehensive prenatal and obstetrical care. Services include genetic counseling, fetal monitoring, ultrasound and nutritional counseling. The health care team emphasize patient education on pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding and newborn care.

To see a video about this, click here: http://bit.ly/1wcxzjZ

This post was written by Jill Rabin, MD, co-chief of Ob/Gyn, Ambulatory Care and Women’s Health/P-CAP Service at LIJ Medical Center and North Shore University Hospital.

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