Final answer:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome, are caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and can lead to physical, cognitive, and behavioral impairments. There is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy, making abstinence the only prevention method.
Step-by-step explanation:
A teratogen is any environmental agent that causes damage to a developing embryo or fetus. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), particularly fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), represent a collection of birth defects associated with heavy consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. These conditions can cause physical abnormalities such as a small head size and distinctive facial features. Cognitive and behavioral issues may include poor judgment, impulse control problems, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, and lower intelligence quotient (IQ) scores. These developmental challenges, resulting from teratogenic exposure to alcohol, persist into adulthood.
Alcohol affects the prenatal impairment of the child, and even limited exposure to alcohol at certain critical times during gestation can cause significant effects, such as facial abnormalities in the case of FAS. Alcohol usage during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of intellectual disabilities in children within the United States. Additionally, acute alcohol consumption can lead to a variety of changes in consciousness, from feelings of euphoria to sedation, and at higher doses could cause complete loss of consciousness and memory deficits.
It is important to note that there is no known safe amount, frequency, or timing for alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Consequently, the most effective way to prevent FASDs is complete abstinence from alcohol while pregnant or trying to conceive.