Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable physical and mental birth defects in the US. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is a general term for children affected by maternal alcohol use while in the womb. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a specific group of developmental and physical problems that can affect a baby’s ability to function normally. FAS may have some or all of the typical symptoms to varying degrees, including emotional problems, facial abnormalities, and developmental issues. FAS is completely avoidable by not consuming alcohol during pregnancy.
In the United States, the number one cause of preventable physical and mental birth defects is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The term Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is used as a general description of children affected by maternal alcohol use while in the womb. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) falls into this category and is used to diagnose a specific group of developmental and physical problems that can affect a baby’s ability to function normally. It is estimated that one in 750 babies is born with the syndrome each year in the United States.
Children with FAS may have some or all of the typical symptoms to varying degrees. This may be due in part to the level of alcohol consumption to which they have been exposed and the early stages of pregnancy. Because alcohol passes through the placenta with little difficulty, children can be exposed to potentially high levels and are unable to process it like adults do. Different mothers process alcohol in different ways, which can also affect how badly alcohol can harm a fetus.
A related but slightly less serious condition is fetal alcohol effect (FAE), in which affected children are affected by increasingly less severe disabilities. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) is a newer category designating children who have only the behavioral and emotional problems associated with FAS and none of the physical symptoms.
The main features of FAS include many different syndromes or disabilities. At birth, a baby may have a lower than average birth weight and have a smaller head. As an infant, he may have trouble sleeping or sucking, leading to failure to thrive. This means that a child does not gain adequate weight or does not grow in height along the average height and weight scales. Also, there may be complications with organs or epilepsy.
Infants and children with FAS may show common abnormalities in facial structure, such as small eye openings, flatter cheekbones, and an underdeveloped furrow connecting the upper lip to the nose. Developmentally, children can lack coordination and have issues with fine motor skills.
The emotional problems associated with this condition may have the greatest impact on affected children. Studies show that many of the disabilities are magnified as the child gets older and has more and more difficulty fitting into society. Children may have problems creating and maintaining relationships and relating in group situations. Some children may not show signs of imagination or curiosity, unlike other children. Grasping easy concepts like time and money can be very difficult, and FAS children can be particularly bad at problem solving.
Behaviorally, children with FAS can display hyperactivity, anxiety, and stubbornness, among many other disabilities and debilitating traits. Because there is such a range of symptoms and signs for this disorder, it is difficult for doctors to diagnose it. The individual conditions associated with the syndrome can be treated with varying degrees of success.
This condition is completely avoidable by not consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Many women who do not know they are pregnant inadvertently expose their fetuses early in the first trimester by consuming alcohol. Since this is the most formative period of gestation, women who are trying to get pregnant or are not using birth control should abstain from alcohol unless they are sure they are not pregnant. Although many cultures do not discourage a little alcohol during pregnancy, and some have spoken out strongly for the safety of a glass of wine in late pregnancy, doctors agree that no alcohol is best for the baby, and the only way to guarantee that a baby will not be born with FAS.
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