Impact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on fetal development and diagnosis of FASD

The study was conducted to determine the effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy on fetal development. A descriptive approach was adopted and an exhaustive documentary and bibliographic review was conducted to analyze the impact of alcohol on the fetus, based on the existing scientific literature. The research focused on the analysis of 11 articles selected from 20 initially reviewed, without collecting primary data. Inductive and deductive methods were used to establish connections between prenatal alcohol exposure and various disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome and other congenital defects. The results revealed a significant association between prenatal alcohol exposure and an increase in the prevalence of neuropsychological disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and learning disorders. This association was observed in populations from various regions, including Latin America, underlining the global dimension of the problem. In addition, alcohol consumption during pregnancy negatively affected the physical growth and cardiovascular parameters of the fetus. The findings highlighted that fetal alcohol syndrome is often underdiagnosed due to the lack of specific biomarkers and distinctive facial features. Improving prevention and diagnosis strategies through increased education on the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is recommended. Future research was suggested to focus on reducing the associated stigma and improving access to diagnostic and treatment services, considering social and cultural factors