[neilep (OP)]

I was listening to Radio 4 this morning and there was an article/chit chat/conversation regarding the nature of alcohol effects on the fetus...

...Preggy women are advised to not really have no more than a couple of units per week ! One unit being a small glass of wine...or half a pint of beer or one small measure of spirit.

Babies born to ladies with a history of high alcohol drinking usually are lighter, smaller and suffer from severe learning difficulties. In some cases there are even facial conditions/features, though they did not say what kind of conditions/features these are.


It was a very interesting article but one thing they missed out was ' what exactly does the alcohol do to the unborn fetus ? '...they talked about the consequences but did not explain why.

So, what exactly are the detrimental effects associated with alcohol intake, upon the fetus ?...what is biologically happening ?


Thanks


Neil

[Karen W.]

I have seen many children with these problems and was under the impression that it kind of stopped or hindered the brain development...as far as birth weight I am not are what happens...but I have seen the same with alcoholic their bodies especially lower
extremities become gangly looking emaciated lacking muscle tone etc. I wonder if it breaks down muscle because of its ability to rob the body of the proper nutritional needs..through the process of elimination through urine...etc.  Now that's my guess and I am no expert but perhaps someone with some medical facts will come confirm or correct my information....I too would like to know more.

[RD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_syndrome

[neilep (OP)]

Thanks Karen for your interest and thanks RD for the link.