The alcohol molecule is very tiny and passes easily across the placenta from mother to child, as early as 2 weeks after conception, until birth. Although alcohol can affect the development of all cells and organs, the brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol exposure, and damage can occur throughout the term of pregnancy.
6-week old infant brains (left: brain without prenatal alcohol exposure;
right: brain with prenatal alcohol exposure)
Image courtesy of Dr. Sterling Clarren, University of Washington (1986).
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