The brain forms in the first three months, but the process of cell division and development of certain brain cells takes place all through the pregnancy. The alcohol in the baby disrupts the normal migration of the brain cells. Messages are not transmitted as efficiently or as accurately as they should be and cause the cells to be incorrectly placed. Once the babies are born, many of them suffer from alcohol withdrawal. They display signs of withdrawal through irritability, tremors and sometimes even have seizures.
Withdrawals can last approximately a week or can last as long as six months.
The rate of babies born with FAS have increased dramatically from 1979 through 1993, the government reports. Many sources say that 5,000 children are born with FAS every year or approximately one out of 750 live births. One study indicates 2.9 per 1,000 live births and two other studies indicate 1.9 per 1,000 live births and 2.6 per 1,000 live births. Statistics indicate that FAS could be connected to race and social status. One study indicates that the rates of FAS are related to the socioeconomic status of the mothers.