Prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the main preventable causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk for a wide variety of disorders reffered collectively as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Four clinical diagnoses included under FASD are fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder and alcohol-related birth defects. FASD manifests differently in each person. Facial anomalies, cognitive difficulties, difficulties in self-regulation and in adaptive functioning are most often present. The global prevalence among children and youth is approximately 0,77 %. Croatia is one of the countries with the highest percentage of children and youth with FASD. This paper presents characteristics and diagnostic criteria for each diagnosis from the spectrum, risk factors that can contribute to FASD, various difficulties faced by children, youth and adults with FASD, stigmatization and the role of the social work profession. The importance of social work can be in developing effective ways of working with individuals with FASD and their families, conducting assessment, providing psychosocial support, individual planning, advocating and community education. The aim of this paper is to provide insight into prenatal alcohol exposure and various aspects of FASD in children and adults.