The term FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) is used to
describe the entire spectrum of pathologies and disorders caused
by alcohol exposure in uterus. Alcohol assumed in pregnancy
passes directly through the placental barrier causing a broad range
of symptoms whose severity can greatly vary in degree. The alcohol
teratogenic effect may result in physical damage and specific
facial anomalies, growth delays, neurological defects along with
intellectual disabilities and behavioral problems. Children affected
show difficulties in verbal learning, memory, visual-spatial abilities,
attention, logic and math abilities, information processing, executive
functions as well as in many other domains and in general coping
with daily life. Total abstention from alcohol during pregnancy is
strongly recommended, as a safe threshold of consumption has
not been established yet. Hence, the early identification of alcohol
consumption in pregnancy is crucial. Specific methodologies to
overcome difficulties related to the identification of alcohol behavior
in pregnant women are needed and intervention protocols should
be implemented to prevent damage in offsprings. This paper
gives an overview on this pathology, from clinical delineation
to epidemiology and risk factors with a special focus to promote
alcohol-free pregnanc
