Final answer:
Fetal alcohol syndrome and accompanying fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can involve various congenital cardiac defects as a result of alcohol exposure during pregnancy, such as septal defects and conotruncal anomalies. There is no safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy, and complete abstinence is the only way to prevent these effects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Congenital cardiac defects associated with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are the result of alcohol exposure in utero. The nature and severity of these malformations can vary greatly but may include problems such as ventricular septal defects, atrial septal defects, and conotruncal anomalies. These health issues are part of a wider set of challenges that can arise from FASD, which also include cognitive deficits, developmental delays, and distinctive facial features like a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, and small eye openings.
The risk of FASDs increases with the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, especially during critical periods of fetal development. It is emphasized that there is no known safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy. Abstinence from alcohol is crucial during this critical time as this is the only certain way to prevent the detrimental effects of FASDs on the developing fetus.