Alcohol Related Birth Injury (FAS/FAE) Resource Site

Women Whose Babies Are at the Highest Risk of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol:

A recent U.S. study revealed that despite widespread education programs, the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy has increased. The study reported that babies born to mothers in the following groups were at highest risk:

• Women with a college education
• Unmarried women
• Female students
• Women who smoke
• Women in household with greater than $50,000 income

FAS Intervention Programs such as "Birth to Three Project" look at a different type of criteria to identify "High Risk" moms. The common characteristics shared by the women in the study included:

• History of abusive childhoods
• Previous birth of a FAS child
• History of substance abuse
• Unstable living environment
• Economically impoverished

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