In fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol crosses the placenta and fetal blood alcohol levels are equal to maternal levels.

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Enhance your understanding of Behavioral Medicine and Substance Use Disorders. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations to ensure exam success. Prepare to excel!

Multiple Choice

In fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol crosses the placenta and fetal blood alcohol levels are equal to maternal levels.

Explanation:
Ethanol crosses the placenta by simple diffusion, so it moves freely between mother and fetus and the fetal and maternal blood concentrations come into close equilibrium. Because the fetus has limited ability to metabolize alcohol quickly, the clearance is slower in the fetus, meaning exposure persists even as maternal levels fall. In practice, fetal blood alcohol levels mirror maternal levels during exposure, which is why this statement is true. This mechanism helps explain why alcohol exposure in pregnancy can reliably affect fetal development, contributing to fetal alcohol syndrome.

Ethanol crosses the placenta by simple diffusion, so it moves freely between mother and fetus and the fetal and maternal blood concentrations come into close equilibrium. Because the fetus has limited ability to metabolize alcohol quickly, the clearance is slower in the fetus, meaning exposure persists even as maternal levels fall. In practice, fetal blood alcohol levels mirror maternal levels during exposure, which is why this statement is true. This mechanism helps explain why alcohol exposure in pregnancy can reliably affect fetal development, contributing to fetal alcohol syndrome.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy