Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

They’re also more vulnerable to developing an addiction to alcohol and narcotics. According to a number of surveys, approximately thirty percent of pregnant American women have consumed some amount of alcohol during the time they had an unborn child in her womb. People born with FAS can have some or all of a group of symptoms. These are different shapes to their faces, stunted growth and some mental difficulties. People with the other conditions in the spectrum may not have this exact match of problems. They have some of them, or other problems caused by drug addiction alcohol before their birth.

What are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?

Alcohol can affect the health of a father’s sperm and may even lead to changes on a genetic level that can influence how an unborn child develops. So while a father cannot cause fetal alcohol syndrome, their alcohol intake may affect the likelihood of fetal alcohol syndrome occurring. Early intervention and a stable, nurturing home are important factors in protecting children with fetal alcohol syndrome from some of the secondary disabilities they’re at risk of later in life.

Alternative treatments

Frequent consumption of alcohol may also reduce https://evidentlashacademy.ro/heroin-definition-effects-abuse-facts-2/ milk production. Although the official recognition of FASD as a clinical disorder is relatively recent,4,5 details pertaining to the first documented cases suggesting social awareness have beendebated. This paper reviews the discourse on the history of this preventable disorder, fromthe biblical Book of Judges (pre-1700) to the first public health bulletin(1977). Some behavioral difficulties may cause a person difficulty getting along with others. This may put a strain on their personal and familial relationships. This article examines symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of FAS in adults.

Differential Diagnosis

• Adults with FAS may require additional support and services to help them manage symptoms.
• PAE can be confirmed through interviews or review of patient files.
• Hopefully Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness Day on September 9 will increase attention to FAS and FASDs for all women who are either pregnant now or those who are planning to become pregnant in the near future.
• It’s also recommended that you not drink alcohol if you’re sexually active and not using effective birth control.
• It is not known exactly how much alcohol is safe in pregnancy.

One wouldn’t know it if it was never publicly revealed, but Reese Witherspoon’s mother endured an alcoholic addiction while carrying the award-winning actress as an unborn fetus. Witherspoon admitted in interviews that she had difficulty learning while in school, which is a common condition shared among children who are victims of FAS. Another common issue shared among victims of FAS is growing up to become alcoholics themselves. Before becoming the legendary film director, Steven Spielberg endured a childhood where he was made to feel inadequate as his learning disability made him a target by school administrators and fellow students. Because drunken baby syndrome of the bullying, this steered Spielberg to channel his energy into a world where nobody could pick on him. He didn’t learn until he was in his 60s that he had dyslexia.

Areas evaluated for FASD diagnoses

There’s no known lower limit of safe alcohol consumption or whether there is a cut off level where it is okay. Your baby’s brain, heart and blood vessels begin to develop in the early weeks of pregnancy, before you may know you’re pregnant. The only thing that predisposes a child to having fetal alcohol syndrome is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Unfortunately, the time when the child is most at risk is early in the pregnancy, even before the woman’s first period is missed. Drinking alcohol in the first 3 months of pregnancy is the most dangerous. Alcohol can interfere with the development and cause birth defects.