In 1999, 12.8% of women aged 18 to 44 years reported any alcohol use (at least one drink) during pregnancy, and 2.7% reported binge drinking (5 or more drinks on any one occasion) (MMWR, 2002).

Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder and alcohol-related birth defects are believed to occur approximately three times as often as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) (CDC, NCBDD/FAS, 2004).

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of the leading causes of mental retardation, and is directly attributable to drinking during pregnancy. FAS is characterized by growth retardation, facial abnormalities, and central nervous system dysfunction (i.e., learning disabilities and lower IQ), as well as behavioral problems.

The incidence of FAS in the United States ranges from 0.2 to 1.5 per 1,000 live births http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas (CDC, NCBDD/FAS, 2004).

Any maternal alcohol use in the periconceptional period (i.e., during the three months before pregnancy or during the first trimester) is associated with a six-fold increased risk of SIDS (Iyasu, 2002).

Binge drinking (five or more drinks at a time) during a mother's first trimester of pregnancy is associated with an eight-fold increase in the odds that the infant will die of SIDS (Iyasu, 2002).
Alcohol and Sexually Transmitted Disease