Fetal alcohol disorders may be more common than previously thought

A new study finds many more children than previously thought may have disabilities because their mothers drank during pregnancy. In fact, the researchers estimate that fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are at least as common as autism.

MPR's Mike Mulcahy talked with Jeff Wozniak and Ruth Richardson about the effects of alcohol exposure on a fetus, what it's like living with the consequences of that exposure, and what the latest research highlights.

Wozniak is an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota and Richardson is director of programs at the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

You can listen to their discussion by using the audio player above.