When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, her fetus breaks down alcohol faster than she does.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, the alcohol easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetus's bloodstream. The fetus's liver is not as well developed as the mother's liver, so it cannot break down alcohol as efficiently as the mother's liver. Therefore, the alcohol stays in the fetus's bloodstream longer and at higher concentrations than it would in the mother's bloodstream. This can lead to serious health problems for the developing fetus.

When a Pregnant Woman Drinks Alcohol, Her Fetus Breaks Down