However, the rate may be three times higher in some populations. Fetal alcohol syndrome includes a characteristic group of defects including small head and brain, facial abnormalities, and defects of other organs.
Many drugs can pass from the mother s blood stream through the placenta to the fetus.
Alcohol is no exception. Alcohol is broken down more slowly in the immature body of the fetus than in an adult s body. This can cause the alcohol levels to remain high and stay in the baby s body longer. However, no amount of alcohol is safe. Even light or moderate drinking can affect the developing fetus.