Fetal alcohol syndrome is
a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy
. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.
How does fetal alcohol syndrome happen?
FASDs are
caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy
. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. There is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.
What are some facts about FASD?
- Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)
- Small head size.
- Shorter-than-average height.
- Low body weight.
- Poor coordination.
- Hyperactive behavior.
- Difficulty paying attention.
- Poor memory.
At what age can Fetal alcohol syndrome be diagnosed?
In the most severely affected children, FAS can be
diagnosed at birth
, however, the characteristic physical features are most pronounced between eight months and eight years of age. 3 Facial abnormalities observed in affected children are the key cluster of physical features of FAS.
Can one drink cause FASD?
don’t realize that drinking one or two drinks can interfere with fetal development. One research study has shown that after 1-2 glasses of wine, fetal breathing is almost completely suppressed, which can be a sign of fetal distress. Figure 5.13 Even 1 or 2 drinks of alcohol
can cause damage to the fetal brain
.
What are the 3 types of FASDs?
There are three types of FASDs:
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)
.
What are the facial features of fetal alcohol syndrome?
Characteristic facial features in a child with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Findings may include
a smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, upturned nose, flat nasal bridge and midface, epicanthal folds, small palpebral fissures, and small head circumference
.
Is fetal alcohol syndrome a disability?
FAS is the most identifiable and serious disability under the
FASD umbrella, although it only accounts for approximate- ly 25% of all alcohol-related effects. FAE is a term often used to describe some- one whose condition does not meet the full criteria for an FAS diagnosis.
Can a child be tested for fetal alcohol syndrome?
A doctor or health visitor
will
need to know if your
child
was exposed to
alcohol
during pregnancy to make a
diagnosis
of
foetal alcohol syndrome
. Your
child
may be referred to a specialist team for an assessment if there’s a possibility they have the condition.
How do you know if your baby has fetal alcohol syndrome?
Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip. Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers.
Slow physical growth before
and after birth. Vision difficulties or hearing problems.
Can fetal alcohol syndrome be diagnosed later in life?
Article at a Glance: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a lifelong condition that impacts both children and adults. FAS is usually diagnosed in children but
can be diagnosed in older individuals as well
. The long-term consequences of FAS include physical, mental and behavioral abnormalities.
Will 1 glass of wine hurt a baby?
You’re likely to hear it more than once during your pregnancy: “
Go ahead, have a drink — one little glass of wine won’t hurt the baby
.” Older friends and relatives will insist that in their day, casual drinking was common during pregnancy.
How much alcohol can affect a fetus?
Although no amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy, it is known that drinking
8 or more drinks a week or 5 or more drinks in one day
will affect an unborn baby.
Can the brain recover from fetal alcohol syndrome?
There’s no cure or specific treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome
. The physical defects and mental deficiencies typically persist for a lifetime. However, early intervention services may help reduce some of the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome and may prevent some secondary disabilities.
What is the life expectancy of someone with fetal alcohol syndrome?
Depending on early diagnosis and support, life expectancies can increase; however, on average, people with FAS are estimated to live
34 years (95% CI: 31–37 years)
, which is around 42% of the life expectancies of their general population peers
23
.
What does fetal alcohol syndrome do to the brain?
It slows down the reproduction of neural stem cells
, which drive the development of the fetal brain. And even when neural stem cells are still able to reproduce, alcohol interferes with their migration to the proper part of the brain, further disrupting brain development.
