Alcohol is a known teratogen, which means it can cause malformations or functional damage in a developing embryo or fetus. When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol, it crosses the placenta and enters the fetal bloodstream. The developing fetus lacks the mature liver enzymes required to metabolize alcohol efficiently. This exposure can lead to widespread damage, impacting brain development, and leading to the characteristic features of FAS, such as facial anomalies, growth retardation, and cognitive impairments.
