What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.l.cnn.net/cnn/2007/HEALTH/conditions/10/05/hfh.alcohol.breast.cancer/art.wine.glasses.gi.jpg caption="FAS can occur when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy."]

Program Note: Be sure to watch AC360° at 10 p.m. ET. for our story on the rehabilitation of a child adopted from Russia with fetal alcohol syndrome.

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. For more information on fetal alcohol syndrome, read NOFAS' fact sheet here.