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A recent study revealed that drinking any amount of alcohol in a state of pregnancy can expose the unborn child to as many as 428 conditions that are linked to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), revealed a new study. FASD has been used as a broader term that describes several disabilities that can affect a child due to exposure to alcohol before birth. In this study, researchers have revealed 428 distinct conditions that can occur in people with FASD. "We have systematically identified numerous disease conditions co-occurring with FASD, which underscores the fact that it is not safe to drink any amount or type of alcohol at any stage of pregnancy, despite the conflicting messages the public may hear," said study lead author Lana Popova from Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada. "Alcohol can affect any organ or system in the developing fetus," Popova noted, as reported by WonderWoman.in.

The symptoms of FASD and its severity vary significantly depending upon how much alcohol was consumed and when. Other factors that influence the conditions include stress levels of the mother, her nutrition levels and also the environmental impact. The symptoms of FASD are also affected by genetic factors and the body's inherent ability to process alcohol, in mother as well as the fetus. These conditions and the number 428 was arrived after identifying and reviewing 127 studies conducted in the past. These conditions can impact any system of the body, including the brain or the central nervous system, vision, hearing, cardiac, digestion, respiratory and other systems amongst other. "It is important that the public receive a consistent and clear message - if you want to have a healthy child, stay away from alcohol when you're planning a pregnancy and throughout your whole pregnancy," Popova said, reports Yahoo News