Maternal Separation Stress in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Case of Double Whammy

Abstract Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. They result in varied developmental and behavioral deficits. Often raised in suboptimal conditions, children with FASD face extra stresses during postnatal development. Maternal separation frequently follows, with many children entering childcare systems including unstable foster placements. This instability has the potential to cause more stress that may impact behavioral outcomes. Using our mouse model, we show that prenatal alcohol exposure combined with postnatal maternal separation results in specific learning deficits. Our results show that more research and attention toward the postnatal environment is necessary, not only for children diagnosed with FASD, but for all children. It supports the proposition that the postnatal environment has the potential to contribute to behavioral outcomes for all children.