Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - FAS

What is FAS?

Information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a spectrum of disorders. One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong, physically and mentally disabling condition. FAS is characterized by (1) abnormal facial features, (2) growth deficiencies, and (3) central nervous system (CNS) problems. People with FAS may have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, and/or hearing. These problems often lead to difficulties in school and problems getting along with others. FAS is a permanent condition. It affects every aspect of an individual’s life and the lives of his or her family. However, FAS is 100% preventable—if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant.

Many terms have been used to describe children who have some, but not all, of the clinical signs of FAS. Three terms are fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). FAE has been used to describe children who have all of the diagnostic features of FAS, but at mild or less severe levels. In 1996, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) replaced FAE with the terms ARND and ARBD. Those with ARND may have functional or mental problems linked to prenatal alcohol exposure. These include behavioral and/or cognitive abnormalities. Examples are learning difficulties, poor school performance, and poor impulse control. They may have difficulties with mathematical skills, memory, attention, and/or judgment. Those with ARBD may have problems with the heart, kidneys, bones, and/or hearing.

It is unclear how common Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has certain distinguishable symptoms.

What are the characteristics of children with FAS?

FAS is the severe end of a spectrum of effects that can occur when a woman drinks during pregnancy. Fetal death is the most extreme outcome. FAS is a disorder characterized by abnormal facial features, and growth and central nervous system (CNS) problems. If a pregnant woman drinks alcohol but her child does not have all of the symptoms of FAS, it is possible that her child has an alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). Children with ARND do not have full FAS, but may demonstrate learning and behavioral problems caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. If you think a child may have FAS or other alcohol-related effects, contact a doctor.

Children with FAS are at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education. These secondary conditions are problems that an individual is not born with, but might acquire as a result of FAS. These conditions can be very serious, yet there are protective factors that have been found to help individuals with these problems. For example, a child who is diagnosed early in life can be placed in appropriate educational classes and given access to social services that can help the child and his or her family. Children with FAS who receive special education are more likely to achieve their developmental and educational potential. In addition, children with FAS need a loving, nurturing, and stable home life in order to avoid disruptions, transient lifestyles, or harmful relationships. Children with FAS who live in abusive or unstable households or become involved in youth violence are much more likely to develop secondary conditions than children with FAS who have not had such negative experiences.

Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is entirely possible.

FAS and other prenatal alcohol-related conditions are completely preventable – if a woman does not drink alcohol while she is pregnant or could become pregnant. If a woman is drinking during pregnancy, it is never too late for her to stop. The sooner a woman stops drinking, the better it will be for both her baby and herself. If a woman is not able to stop drinking, she should contact her physician, local Alcoholics Anonymous or local alcohol treatment center, if needed. If a woman is sexually active and not using an effective form of birth control, she should not drink alcohol. She could be pregnant and not know it for several weeks or more.

Mothers are not the only ones who can prevent FAS. The father’s role is also important in helping the woman abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy. He can encourage her abstinence from alcohol by avoiding social situations that involve drinking and by abstaining from alcohol himself. Significant others, family members, schools, health and social service organizations, and communities alike can help prevent FAS through education and intervention.

To reduce prenatal alcohol exposure, prevention efforts should target not only pregnant women who are currently drinking, but also women who could become pregnant, are drinking at high-risk levels, and are engaging in unprotected sex.

If you or a loved one has been injured by professional or medical negligence, read the guidelines below and fill out this simple form.

Click To Talk To Us Online

see also:

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: How common? Do you know how common Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Find out how common it is.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: The Symptoms Information on Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Information on the symptoms from an attorney

Cerebral Palsy When Cerebral Palsy is caused by medical negligence, we can help.
Get a lawyer's help for cerebral palsy related to medical negligence