Fetal alcohol syndrome and preventive strategies.

The teratogenic effects of alcohol are well documented. The fetal alcohol syndrome includes growth retardation, central nervous system dysfunction and dysmorphology. The severity of damage seems to be correlated to the stage of maternal alcoholism. Discontinuing heavy drinking during pregnancy benefits growth, but cannot fully inhibit the negative effects on the central nervous system and morphology. Antenatal programs have been developed to identify pregnancies at risk. Adequate health information seems to be sufficient for socially drinking women, while alcoholic women need extensive support to abstain from alcohol.