Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Prenatal exposure to alcohol is a leading cause of preventable birth defects and is one of the top three known causes of developmental delay in children in Canada. It is a life-long condition. A child with FASD becomes an adult with FASD. There is no cure for this syndrome; the damage is irreversible.

Since research has not been able to confirm a safe level of alcohol on an unborn child, experts agree that a woman should not drink when she is pregnant.

For this website, unless otherwise specified, the term FASD will be used to describe the full range of brain damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Information about FASD for families and the public.

Click here to learn more about what government is doing about FASD.

• Why Should Albertans be Concerned?
• Test your knowledge of FASD - take the FASD Quiz