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Running head: FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 1

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 2

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Introduction

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) refers to a series of congenital disabilities that include

mental, physical, learning, and behavioral issues attributable to the act of the mother drinking

alcohol while pregnant. FAS is amongst other less severe alcohol-related problems whose

occurrence is approximated to be one in every hundred births (Ganthous, Rossi, & Giacheti,

2015). Some of the parents are often under the impression that alcohol consumption during

pregnancy is safe and acceptable. However, there is the necessity for noting that such

misconception usually presents catastrophic results. There exists no known amount of alcohol

whose consumption is regarded safe for during gestation. Alcohol often affects both the entire

body of an individual and their mind. However, its effect on the fetuses tends to vary

significantly from one individual to another. If an expectant mother is drunk so is the fetus and

such often present detrimental effects to the developing baby. The paper thus intends to

investigate the different aspects of the FAS.

FAS is amongst the few disorders whose complete prevention is possible. The mothers

can ensure its comprehensive prevention through avoiding the consumption of alcohol at any

stage of their pregnancy. However, majorities of the women is often misinformed concerning

some of the dangers of alcohol consumption while one is pregnant and thus unintentionally harm

their babies in the process. Majority of the women often fail to recognize pregnancy until they

are between four and six week hence many women tend to indulge in drinking before the

realization of the fact that they are expectant. On detection of the pregnancy, most of the women

often ensure reduction of their alcohol consumption significantly. A recent study on the rates of

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 3

alcohol consumption amongst the women of the childbearing age that are expectant showed that

the consumption of alcohol is relatively stable at around 125 and binge drinking is often between

two and three percent during pregnancy (Pei, et al., 2016). The report on the alcohol

consumption amongst the pregnant women thus highlights the fact that the use of alcohol

amongst the expectant women is a significant public health issue that requires attention.

Literature review on FAS

Popova, et al., (2014) defines FAS as a condition attributable to the pregnant mothers

consuming alcohol and thus exposing their fetus to the drug. FAS is thus a congenital disability

that tends to affect the mental development. The individuals born with the disorder are not often

capable of outgrowing its effects.

Diagnosis FAS

Alcohol often presents direct lethal effects on the cells of the fetus and embryo that

undergo rapid development. Prenatal exposure to alcohol often contributes to damaging of the

developing fetus in multiple ways that causes a broad range of effects.

Relative to the trimester of the pregnancy that the expectant mother consumes alcohol,

the effects tend to vary and the level of risk to the fetus as well differs significantly. Alcohol

consumption during the first quarter of the gestation is often the most. The fetuses exposed to the

alcohol during the first quarter are usually at risk of having small brains, developing physical

problems, and encountering severe mental retardation.

Identification of the people exposed to alcohol prenatally often presents significant

challenges. The challenges are attributable to the fact that there is usually the lack of accurate

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 4

maternal drinking history and even if the child depicts some of the symptoms of FAS, the

diagnosis of the child by a trained dymorphologist is often necessary. Diagnosis of the

individuals is usually more difficult for identification of the individuals exposed to alcohol

prenatally that fail to meet the diagnostic criteria for FAS (Price & Miskelly, 2015). Such

individuals include those not exhibiting the different defining facial features of the condition.

There is thus the necessity for adoption of better tools to ensure enhancement of the diagnosis,

particularly since there is the necessity for a proper diagnosis for ensuring that the individuals

receive the appropriate services.

Diagnosis of the congenital disabilities associated with FAS is often achieved when the children

depict some of the signs that include:

A Certain pattern of facial characteristics that include thin upper lips, smooth or long

philtrum, short unturned nose, flat midface and eye slits. The growth deficiency both prenatally

and postnatal for height and weight is a clear indication of the condition in children. Another

symptom of the disease in the children as well includes neurological damage, which entails the

small size of the brain, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, and attention deficits.

Diagnosis of FAS as well necessitates some presumed history of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Using the fetal biological markers often play s significant role in aiding in the early

detection of children suffering from FAS. Such early diagnosis usually plays a substantial role in

allowing for the assumption of appropriate measure to provide the necessary support for both the

child and family concerning social development and education. Besides timely diagnosis, the

fetal biological markers are essential for ensuring a thorough understanding of the pathogenesis

of FAS.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 5

Prevention/Education

Education is a significant approach to ensure effectiveness in preventing FAS. Even the

small changes in the behavior and education can play a vital role in reducing the risk of women

giving birth to the babies suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome. Majority of the women have

been drinking long enough without the knowledge of the effect that the alcohol consumption has

on their babies. Some of the women that drink as well in some instances fail to know that they

are pregnant and as such continue to expose their children to the effects of alcohol consumption

unknowingly. There are as well women addicted to alcohol consumption. The drive in such

instances is often stronger for alcohol than for their health or that of their unborn children.

Detoxification, education, and modification of behavior thus remain as the areas that necessitate

the change to help with the prevention of FAS.

On consumption of alcohol, it is often absorbed into the bloodstream of the mother and

passed into the fetal central nervous system (CNS) through the placenta. Alcohol regularly

contributes to depression of the CNS of the fetus. There is the necessity for noting that alcohol is

usually a potent teratogen. Teratogen refers to any drug associated with the causation of

congenital disabilities. However, the occurrence of the damage is not often understood entirely

although alcohol frequently contributes to the creation of glucose and oxygen deficiency for the

fetus.

The women that often engage in alcohol consumption during the first trimester are

usually at increased risk of miscarriage, congenital disabilities, and stillbirth. Moreover, there is

the necessity for noting that the quantity of alcohol consumed often increases the probability of

these impacts. The development of the organs of the fetus often commences between three and

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 6

ten weeks. Alcohol thus often affects the development of these organs significantly. Some of the

organs that are often most affected include heart, central nervous system, and brain of the

fetuses. The alcohol consumption frequently contributes considerably to causing retardation of

their brains. Damaging of the brain often happen at any time during the gestation since the

development of the brain usually occurs in the nine months and beyond the birth of the child.

Additionally, there is the necessity for noting that the consequences of alcohol often vary

in the parts of the anatomy and range of severity on the child. Some of the babies are usually

born with the growth deficiencies associated with the consumption of alcohol by their mothers

during pregnancy. Such often include being underweight, small head, and short in length. The

notable facial abnormalities usually include cleft palate, cleft lip, thin upper lips, underdeveloped

philtrum, missing bridge of the nose and small eye openings. FAS often manifest in the

occurrence of major organ defects of the heart. Such children are usually at risk of developing

respiratory issues that include SIDS, pulmonary hypertension, and apnea. Some of the notable

renal abnormalities often include hydronephrosis, ureteral duplications, horseshoe kidneys, and

hypoplastic kidneys. The children may as well suffer from joint and limb abnormalities.

Malnutrition is usually a risk factor for the women that engage in alcohol consumption.

Malnutrition often contributes significantly to the development of some of the issues that include

low birth weights, growth retardation, fetal damage and as well contribute to the increased risk

for the spontaneous stillbirth and abortion. There are numerous reasons attributable to

malnutrition. The first reason entails the fact that most of the alcoholics often exhibit the

preference for alcohol consumption over food hence their intake of the necessary nutrients is

often significantly low. Moreover, there is usually the reduced absorption and metabolism of the

nutrients needed for the development of the fetus.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 7

The women that often engage in alcohol consumption often lack many vitamins and

minerals that include zinc, magnesium, iron, Vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid and

vitamin B. Deficiency of vitamin B6 often contributes significantly to some of the defects that

include cleft lip and palate, and clubfoot. Folate acid deficiencies are strongly associated with the

flaws that include the orofacial and those of the neural tubes. Riboflavin deficiency on the other

hand often contributes to the failure to develop, grow, and thrive. The absence of thiamine

usually adds to the occurrences of heart defects. Vitamin K deficiency often contributes to

deformities that include the underdeveloped mouth, nose, and midface, flat nasal bridges.

Cupped ears and shortened fingers. The iron deficient babies are usually shorter and smaller.

Zinc deficiency regularly contributes to giving birth of infants having low immunity in infants

and abnormality of the nervous system that usually contribute to the mental retardation and

learning difficulties.

The study conducted by Watson, et al., (2013) strongly associate the children suffering

from FAS with both the cognitive and attention deficits, expressive language, and motor

problems, perseverative behaviors, hyperactivity and problems with inhibition and state

regulation. Such issues often last into and throughout adulthood. The problems usually present

challenges that include bonding in infants and depression in children between four and six years

of age. The studies focused on investigating the existing relationship between the prenatal

alcohol exposure and relation to IQ tends to depict varied severities. The research shows that

some of the children tend to be more vulnerable than others for the effects of alcohol (Eaton, et

al., 2014).

FAS is a preventable issue. There is the need for focusing on educating the public on

some of the effects that alcohol consumption often has on the unborn children and that no

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 8

quantity of alcohol is regarded safe during gestation. The consequences of consuming alcohol

during gestation may last a lifetime and always range in severity. The healthcare workers thus

need to ensure effectiveness in educating and advising all the females within the childbearing age

concerning the potential harm that alcohol consumption poses to the unborn fetuses (Gross, et

al., 2015). Moreover, there is the necessity for creating awareness that during gestation, it is

never too late to terminate and ensure reduction of the risks associated with alcohol consumption

to the fetus. However, it is always up to the mother to ensure that they take into consideration the

warnings and advice provided by the healthcare workers.

The healthcare workers need to ensure that they create awareness of the fact that the

small amounts of social drinking often exposes the fetuses to significant harm. The more the

alcohol that the mother consumes, the greater the consequences and damages to the fetus. When

the pregnant mothers drink alcohol, the alcohol levels in the fetus and mother is usually almost

equal shortly after the consumption. Education thus a fundamental approach to protecting the

future unborn babies from FAS. Training ensures that the mothers are conscious of the potential

damages that they could cause their fetus hence the necessity for taking a moment to stop and

think about the impact of alcohol consumption during gestation to their unborn babies.

The fact that FAS is a preventable birth disorder shows the necessity for ensuring that

both the men and women are adequately educated concerning the facts of alcohol and its

damaging effects on them and the babies. The different things that the pregnant women often

consume usually make their way to the uterus and eventually to the bloodstream of the babies.

The vulnerability of the fetus is often significant during the first trimester when the development

of the fetus is rapid. The women thus have to ensure that they stop the consumption of all alcohol

completely on their discovery of the fact that they are pregnant.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 9

FAS and other alcohol-related conditions that are less severe often take place in nearly

one in every a hundred births. The statistics indicate that the occurrence of the disease is usually

higher than that of any other known congenital disability. Education concerning prenatal care

needs to commence at young age and carry on throughout one’s lifetime. Moreover, setting a

good example to the women through avoiding alcohol is also essential. The women feeling that

they are at higher risk of consuming alcohol or any other drugs need to ensure that they seek

professional help in time. Finding the services of the counseling group is of significance for the

women that feel they are unable to stop the use of alcohol even while pregnant.

The treatments for the individuals suffering from FAS often vary significantly depending

on the symptoms that one depicts. Some of the treatment options usually include behavior and

education therapy, provision of parent training and some of the medications that are crucial for

the provision of assistance in the management of the symptoms.

Studies show that the condition is in numerous instances underestimated significantly.

Determining the prevalence of the disease has proven challenging since in most cases the

children suffering from FAS tend to be misdiagnosed with other disorders. The misdiagnosis of

the condition often presents significant challenges and is detrimental to the child since there is

often the likelihood of giving wrong medication or commencement of the right treatment late

(Xiaojie & Kroenke, 2015).

Identification of the biomarkers considered reliable in reflecting the fetal alcohol

exposure in the fetuses is often essential since on numerous instances obtaining the reliable

background information is often impossible. Some of the considered possible reasons for this

often entail the fact that the maternal memory is usually poor, the biological parents are not often

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 10

available or their inability to admit to alcohol consumption. Having such markers is thus

essential for facilitating timely case identification and early intervention.

Alcohol is always a teratogen (a chemical or agent associated with congenital

disabilities). Studies show that alcohol is often the most consumed teratogen across the globe.

The fact that little is known concerning the exact components of alcohol-attributable to the

defects necessitates its complete avoidance during pregnancy for ensuring that the child stays

healthy (Singal, et al., 2017). Moreover, there lacks the considerably correct information

concerning the actual time when alcohol consumption during pregnancy presents minimal harm

to the fetal development. As such, its complete avoidance during the pregnancy is essential for

ensuring that the fetus develops appropriately without developing any congenital disabilities.

One of the crucial aspects of the FAS prevention mainly involves identification of the

risky alcohol consumption amongst the women in the childbearing age by both the prenatal

clinics and the primary care physicians. Moreover, studies suggest that screening and the brief

interventions in these environments is efficient in the reduction and elimination of the seemingly

risky drinking habits. However, there is the necessity for noting that such educational programs

and clinics are often readily available.

Living with FAS

The children having FAS often have numerous handicaps and necessitate specialized

medical, community, family, and educational support. The families of these children usually

require peer support, financial assistance, medical information, and educational advocacy. The

people suffering from FAS are often at higher risk of neglect, physical and sexual abuse when

raised in their original families. These children thus often require loving home environments that

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 11

are supportive and capable of providing clear lines of communication and clear guidelines

necessary for ensuring that they develop to their maximum potential.

The people having FAS often have varied talents and capabilities like everyone else.

They tend to show a broad range of functional disabilities and intellectual levels that often reflect

the varied extent of prenatal mental damages due to the diverse patterns, timing, and level of

their exposure to alcohol during gestation (Koren, 2015). Majority of individuals suffering from

FAS despite the presence of some differences tend to exhibit similar general characteristics.

Ensuring the appropriate placement of the children in the special education classes starting in the

elementary school is usually necessary for the children suffering from FAS.

In conclusion, FAS is often preventable provided the women ensure that the pregnancy is

alcohol-free. Awareness and education serve as essential tools for ensuring the dramatic decrease

of the instances of FAS. The healthcare workers are often in a better position of ensuring that the

pregnant women are equipped with the necessary knowledge concerning the health of their

unborn children.

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME 12

References

Eaton, L. A., Pitpitan, E. V., Kalichman, S. C., Sikkema, K. J., Skinner, D., Watt, M. H., & ...

Cain, D. N. (2014). Beliefs about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among men and women

at alcohol serving establishments in South Africa. American Journal Of Drug & Alcohol

Abuse, 40(2), 87-94. doi:10.3109/00952990.2013.830621

Ganthous, G., Rossi, N. F., & Giacheti, C. M. (2015). LANGUAGE IN FETAL ALCOHOL

SPECTRUM DISORDER: A REVIEW. Revista CEFAC, 17(1), 253-263.

Gross, A. C., Deling, L. A., Wozniak, J. R., & Boys, C. J. (2015). Objective measures of

executive functioning are highly discrepant with parent-report in fetal alcohol spectrum

disorders. Child Neuropsychology, 21(4), 531-538. doi:10.1080/09297049.2014.911271

Koren, G. (2015). Pharmacological Treatment of Disruptive Behavior in Children with Fetal

Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Pediatric Drugs, 17(3), 179-184. doi:10.1007/s40272-015-

0118-4

Pei, J., Wing SzeWence, L., Jampolsky, F., & Alsbury, B. (2016). Experiences in the Canadian

Criminal Justice System for Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Double

Jeopardy?. Canadian Journal Of Criminology & Criminal Justice, 58(1), 56-86.

doi:10.3138/cjccj.2014.E25

Popova, S., Lange, S., Burd, L., & Rehm, J. (2014). Canadian Children and Youth in Care: The

Cost of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Child & Youth Care Forum, 43(1), 83-96.

doi:10.1007/s10566-013-9226-x

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Price, K. J., & Miskelly, K. J. (2015). Why Ask Why? Logical Fallacies in the Diagnosis of Fetal

Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Ethics & Behavior, 25(5), 418-426.

doi:10.1080/10508422.2014.946031

Singal, D., Brownell, M., Chateau, D., Hanlon-Dearman, A., Longstaffe, S., & Roos, L. L.

(2017). The Psychiatric Morbidity of Women Who Give Birth to Children with Fetal

Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Results of the Manitoba Mothers and FASD

Study. Canadian Journal Of Psychiatry, 62(8), 531-542. doi:10.1177/0706743717703646

Watson, S. L., Coons, K. D., & Hayes, S. A. (2013). Autism spectrum disorder and fetal alcohol

spectrum disorder. Part I: A comparison of parenting stress. Journal Of Intellectual &

Developmental Disability, 38(2), 95-104.

Xiaojie, W., & Kroenke, C. D. (2015). Utilization of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Research

Involving Animal Models of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Alcohol Research:

Current Reviews, 37(1), 39-51.

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