FASD The Course > Module 3: Risk Factors for FASD > 4. Introduction
Module 3: Risk Factors for FASD
Introduction
The exact mechanism by which FASD occurs is unknown. Not all women who drink heavily during
pregnancy give birth to children with FAS. Others drink moderately and have children with an FASD.
Many factors may increase the risk of harm from prenatal alcohol use, including:
- Maternal drinking patterns
- Maternal absorption and metabolism of alcohol
- Timing of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Genetic susceptibility
- Maternal lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and parity
- Paternal factors, such as support of alcohol use
All of these risk factors
are important when assessing the effects of alcohol exposure on fetal brain development. However,
factors that raise blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
of the fetus are most likely to affect the occurrence and severity of brain injury. BAC is the
amount of alcohol present in a person's bloodstream at a given time after alcohol use. Factors that
affect BAC in the fetus include maternal drinking patterns and maternal metabolism of alcohol.