O35.4: Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus from alcohol

Maternal care for (suspected) damage to fetus from alcohol involves managing a pregnancy where there's a concern that the unborn child may suffer health effects due to the mother's alcohol consumption. This is often identified in mothers who have a history of heavy drinking during pregnancy. Potential damage to the fetus from alcohol includes fetal alcohol syndrome and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are a group of conditions that can cause physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect each child differently. The areas of the body affected may include growth (the infant may have low birth weight and slow development), the brain (there may be learning and behavior challenges), and the physical structure (there may be specific facial features or other birth defects). The damage is typically long-lasting and can affect the child throughout their life. The condition is usually identified while the mother is still pregnant, which allows for early interventions to limit the potential damage.