Gillings School of Public Health

135 Dauer Drive

Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 966-3215
FACT SHEET

CONTACT:

Mary Taylor Renfro, public relations intern

(513) 226-3958, mrenfro@live.unc.edu

Jan 28, 2015

RESEARCH IMPROVES UNDERSTANDING OF FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition that affects children exposed to alcohol

during their mothers pregnancies.
Approximately 40,000 babies are diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
every year.
FAS can cause mild to severe mental disabilities and physical defects including
poor memory, learning disorders, poor balance, vision and hearing impairments,
wide-set eyes, and deformed joints.
The symptoms caused by FAS are typically permanent, and there is no known cure
for the condition.

Recent Research
A study published at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in November
found that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) might affect up to five percent
of U.S. children, whereas previous research put the occurrence at one percent.

The study concentrated on the incidence of FASD in children between the ages of 6
and 7 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Between 2.4 and 4.8 percent of the children studied showed cognitive and physical
characteristics consistent with FASD.

More Information

The signs and symptoms of FAS and FASD vary between children, and can be mild
to severe.

Studies have found children adopted from orphanages or in foster care have a
higher rate of FASD exposure than other children.

For more information about the recent study, visit

http://uncnews.unc.edu/2014/11/20/study-reveals-much-higher-prevalence-fetal-alcoholexposure/.