9. Conclusions
Maternal alcohol ingestion in pregnancy may have deleterious effects on the CNS and other organs
of the developing embryo and fetus, depending on the dose, duration and developmental stage of the
embryo at exposure. These embryotoxic effects of alcohol were observed in many animal species. It is
therefore important to reduce alcohol drinking during pregnancy to the minimum. However, as of
today, it is still difficult to define the minimal dose that will affect the developing embryo and the
exact dose response relationship. Educational interventions should start at school and in adolescents
and young adults it should start before pregnancy. Early recognition of intrauterine alcohol exposed
children may allow nutritional, behavioral and schooling support. Several studies on ethanol exposed
pregnant animals are promising in regards with the possible amelioration of alcohol-induced
embryotoxicity.