FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Overview and Facts

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a group of conditions that occurs in babies whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is the term used to define abnormalities that result from alcohol exposure during the pregnancy period. The effects in babies include behavior, physical and learning problems. Pregnancy exposure to alcohol may also damage the growth stage of the fetus. Alcohol exposure affects brain development, and is one of the reasons behind  birth defects and developmental disabilities. Babies with FASD have their own unique signs and symptoms. The more alcohol a mother drinks during her pregnancy,  the higher the risk of the fetus for developing  FASD. Even low to moderate amounts of alcohol have effects on the fetus’ brain and other organs.

There are many problems that your child may experience if he or she has FASD. These include:

  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Low body weight
  • Small head
  • Abnormal facial features
  • Difficulty in memory and attention
  • Speech and language problems
  • Low IQ
  • Health problems, including those affecting the heart, kidney and brain

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FAS is a severe condition that results when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol. Alcohol passes through her placenta to the fetus. The damage comes out in the first few weeks and often occurs when a woman doesn’t know that she is pregnant. The risk increases when the mother is a heavy drinker.

Symptoms may include the following:

  • Hyperactivity
  • Small head
  • Poor coordination
  • Lack of focus
  •  Abnormal facial features
  • Vision and hearing problems
  • Deformed fingers and limbs
  • Speech, movement and thinking problem
  • Health problems including those that affect the heart and the kidney

Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder is an issue related to the nervous system. People with ARND have intellectual disabilities and problems with learning and behavior.

Alcohol Related Birth Defects leads to problems in the formation and functioning of fetal organs.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

The doctor will ask whether the mother had alcohol intake during her pregnancy period. He or she may then look for the abnormalities in the baby’s physical appearance. Diagnosing this condition can be hard because there is no lab test that can prove if a child has FASD. The diagnosis will rely on the observance of development problems in the child.

 

TREATMENT

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders is a lifetime disorder. There is no cure, but there are treatments that will help to improve the child’s development. Although there are no approved medications to treat FASD, there are other treatments to reduce symptoms. These include:

  • Behavior therapy
  • Parent training
  • Educational intervention
  • Development services
  • Social skills

Also, the best factor that can reduce the effects of FASD is the behaviour of the people around her/him. They should be:

  • Loving and nurturing
  • Doing follow-ups and monitoring

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