Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition that affects a child due to alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Consuming alcohol while pregnant can lead to a range of disabilities in the child, impacting their behavior, learning abilities, cognitive functions, and physical development. The symptoms of FAS vary from one child to another, and the effects are lifelong.
FAS represents the severe end of a spectrum known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). FASD encompasses a variety of conditions in a child that result from alcohol consumption by the mother during pregnancy.
Medical experts confirm that there is no established safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol at any point during pregnancy puts the baby at risk of developing FASD.
If you suspect your child may have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, consulting with a doctor or another healthcare professional is crucial. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly mitigate some of the associated issues.
Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The severity of FAS symptoms can vary greatly among individuals. Some children experience more significant challenges than others. FAS symptoms can encompass a combination of issues related to physical development, cognitive abilities, behavior, and adaptive functioning in daily life.
Physical Development Issues
Problems with physical development related to FAS include:
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Distinctive facial features associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, such as small eyes, an abnormally thin upper lip, a flattened nasal bridge, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and the upper lip.
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Slow physical growth both before and after birth.
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Delayed developmental milestones, such as delays in sitting, talking, and walking.
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Vision or hearing impairments.
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Smaller head and brain size than average.
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Abnormalities in the development of the heart, kidneys, and bones.
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Poor coordination or balance.
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Jitteriness or hyperactivity.
Learning and Thinking Issues
Cognitive and learning challenges may include:
- Intellectual disabilities and learning disorders, including memory problems, difficulty learning new information, problems concentrating, and impaired thinking.
- Difficulty understanding the consequences of their actions.
- Poor judgment skills, including difficulty reasoning through problems, problem-solving, and making decisions that impact daily life.
- Short attention span, which affects the ability to stay on task and complete assignments.
- Poor understanding of time, which affects the ability to follow schedules, knowing when to leave to arrive on time, and estimating how long a task will take.
- Trouble with organization and planning or working toward a goal, including trouble understanding and following directions.
Social and Behavioral Issues
Difficulties in everyday life, coping skills, and interacting with others can manifest as:
- Difficulties in school concerning attendance, learning, behavior, and social interaction.
- Trouble getting along with others, including communication and social skill deficits.
- Difficulty adapting to change or transitioning between tasks.
- Behavioral problems and challenges with controlling emotions and actions.
- Problems managing essential life skills, such as telling time, self-care, managing money, and maintaining safety.
- Being easily influenced or taken advantage of by others.
- Rapid mood swings.
When to Seek Medical Advice
If you are pregnant and struggling to abstain from alcohol, seek assistance from your obstetrician, primary care physician, or other healthcare provider immediately. Talking with a mental health professional may also be helpful. A social worker can guide you toward local community programs and support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
Early diagnosis can help reduce the risk of certain complications for children with FAS. Tell your child’s doctor if you drank alcohol during pregnancy. Do not wait for your child to develop symptoms before seeking assistance.
Adoptive or foster parents may not have information about the biological mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy. International adoptions from certain countries may have a higher incidence of prenatal alcohol exposure. If you are concerned about your child’s learning abilities or behavior, speak with their doctor to determine the root cause of these issues.
Causes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
When a pregnant woman consumes alcohol:
- Alcohol enters the bloodstream. In the womb, the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to the developing baby. Alcohol crosses the placenta and reaches the baby.
- The baby’s blood alcohol concentration is higher than the mother’s. This is because the baby metabolizes and eliminates alcohol at a slower rate than an adult.
- Alcohol is toxic to the baby’s cells. Prenatal alcohol exposure can impair physical development and result in irreversible brain damage in the developing baby.
The more alcohol consumed during pregnancy, the greater the risk to the unborn baby. No amount of alcohol is considered safe for the developing fetus. The baby’s brain, heart, and blood vessels develop during the early weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant.
The first trimester is critical for facial and organ development. Alcohol consumption during this time can disrupt the development of various body parts. Continuing to drink alcohol at any point during pregnancy poses harm to the developing baby.
Risk Factors for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The likelihood of FAS increases with the amount of alcohol consumed during pregnancy. There is no established safe amount or type of alcohol to consume during pregnancy.
You might unintentionally put your baby at risk before you even know you are pregnant. Avoid alcohol if:
- You are currently pregnant.
- You suspect you may be pregnant.
- You are actively trying to conceive.
Complications Associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Behavioral problems can emerge later in a child’s life as a result of having FAS. These are known as secondary disabilities and may include:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Aggression, inappropriate social behavior, and violations of rules and laws.
- Alcohol or recreational drug misuse.
- Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or eating disorders.
- Difficulties staying in school or completing educational programs.
- Inability to form and maintain social relationships.
- Challenges with independent living and securing and maintaining employment.
- Inappropriate sexual behaviors.
- Premature death from accidents, homicide, or suicide.
Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The best way to prevent FAS is to avoid alcohol consumption entirely during pregnancy.
Here are some preventive measures:
- Abstain from alcohol if you are trying to conceive. If you have not already stopped drinking, do so as soon as you discover you are pregnant or even suspect that you might be. It is never too late to stop drinking during your pregnancy. The earlier you stop, the better it is for your baby.
- Do not consume alcohol at any time during pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome is completely preventable in children whose mothers abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.
- Consider abstaining from alcohol during your childbearing years if you are sexually active and not using contraception. Because many pregnancies are unplanned, alcohol-related harm can occur in the earliest weeks of gestation.
- If you have an alcohol problem, seek professional help before you become pregnant. Consult with your doctor or a mental health professional about your drinking habits. Discuss how much and how often you drink alcohol to collaboratively create a treatment plan to help you quit.
