Alcohol use by mothers-to-be can result in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), with an estimated cost to society of $3 million per child, according to a new study.

According to researchers, fetal alcohol syndrome, which is associated with a mother’s drinking alcohol during pregnancy, accounts for more birth defects than Down syndrome. About 40,000 children born in the United States each year are identified with FAS.

But since 95 percent of those with FAS go undiagnosed, there are many more affected each year, says lead researcher Dr. Larry Burd, director of the North Dakota Fetal Alcohol Center at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.

FAS can cause poor growth of the fetus and infant, decreased mental function, heart defects, abnormal facial appearance and deformity of arms and legs. Other signs include delayed development, low IQ and, in infants, tremors, agitation and crying.

Since there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, any drinking poses a risk for FAS. However, heavy drinking significantly increases the odds.

In their study, Burd’s team reviewed studies that looked at the annual cost and the lifetime cost of caring for FAS patients.

They estimated the annual cost for all those with FAS at about $4 billion, and the lifetime cost for someone with FAS at about $3 million.

“If a state wanted to deposit in a bank enough money to take care of one of these people, they would need to deposit about $932,000, and the interest would pay for lifetime care,” Burd says.

These costs include medical treatment, foster care, and residential care due to mental retardation, special education services, incarceration and lost productivity.

By preventing only one case of FAS a state could save almost $360,000 in the first 10 years and over $1 million over 30 years, they note.

Burd believes that all pregnant women should be screened for alcohol use, and should be told to stop drinking. Women, who can’t, need an alcohol treatment program, he says.

Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems,…  Volume 67, No. 2, July 2004

(Reprinted with permission Monday Morning Report, Vol. 28, No. 9, May 10, 2004)