FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS. BIOMARKERS OF ETHANOL CONSUMPTION DURING PREGNANCY

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with a wide range of adverse effects known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Through the measurement of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEEs) in meconium, as biomarkers of prenatal alcohol exposure, we have a very important tool in the screening of newborns, facilitating the confirmation of diagnosis and adequate clinical intervention in individuals affected by this problem with improvements in life quality and expectancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) represents the classic syndrome and the most serious condition is caused by repetitive alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Due to the heterogeneous characteristics of clinical alterations of newborns exposed to ethanol, most of which are not specific, diagnosis of FASDs is extremely difficult.