Nine Months Matter is a public awareness campaign organized by UC San Diego’s Center for Better Beginnings, a division within the Department of Pediatrics that is dedicated to reducing preventable birth defects. Nine Months Matter is part of the special program at the Center that focuses on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) screening, research and education called the Institute for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Discovery (IFASDD).

Increasing our community’s knowledge of how prenatal alcohol exposure affects a developing baby is the goal of Nine Months Matter. This campaign is led by Dr. Ken Jones, distinguished professor and world-renowned pediatrician at UC San Diego. Over forty years ago, Dr. Jones and his mentor, Dr. David Smith, were the first to describe Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Dr. Jones’ pioneering research and work with families across the globe is truly a San Diego treasure–but there is still much work to do here in our own community.

FASD is 0% curable and 100% preventable. Learn why alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix. Or reach a prenatal alcohol exposure specialist at IFASDD, by calling our clinic at 858.246.0047.