Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Implications of Alcohol Consumption in Teen Pregnancy

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, surprisingly, affects three out of every 1,000 births in the United States.  As a common disorder of teenage pregnancy and birth, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome leads to lifelong complications for the child afflicted with the condition. As an innocent victim, educating teenage mothers in the risks of alcohol use, when pregnant, is vitally important to ensuring optimal growth and development of the fetus while in the womb. 

Alcohol is a stimulant which, when consumed by a pregnant, teenage female, will enter the bloodstream, pass through the placenta and enter into the fetus.  With fetal development underway, the alcohol is then metabolized slowly resulting in damage to significant tissue development.  While the levels of alcohol can impair a fetus differently, it is recommended that alcohol never be consumed when pregnant.  Unfortunately, in teenage women who are pregnant, the use of alcohol is quite astounding therefore, educating teenage girls on the use of alcohol, both before and during pregnancy may provide significant results in not only improving longevitity and health but also reducing the risk of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome development.