What are fetal alcohol problems?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the physical and mental
problems a baby is born with due to the mother drinking
alcohol during pregnancy. The most common problems caused
by FAS are mental retardation, stunted growth, and face
deformities.
Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) are a less severe set of the
same symptoms.
How do they occur?
FAS/FAE can happen when a pregnant woman drinks beer, wine, or
hard liquor. Any amount of drinking during pregnancy can
cause FAS/FAE. The more a woman drinks, the greater the
chance her baby will be born with problems. The Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) says high risk begins when a woman has
7 drinks or beers in a week or 5 in one day.
The time during the pregnancy when the mother drinks affects
the risk to the baby and the kinds of problems the baby
might have. Drinking during the first 3 months (first
trimester) is the most serious. Babies exposed to alcohol
at this time often have small brains and physical problems,
and develop severe mental retardation.
Miscarriage is the major risk in the next 3 months (second
trimester). In the last trimester babies exposed to alcohol
often develop learning problems, mental retardation, and
behavioral problems.
Not all babies whose mothers drink during pregnancy are born
with FAS/FAE. It is not understood why some babies are born
with problems and others are not.
What are the symptoms?
Children born with FAS or FAE have one or more of the
following problems.
Birth Weight and Growth Problems
Face and Mouth Deformities
Physical Problems
bone, joint, or muscle problems
repeated ear infections or hearing problems
genital defects
heart defects
kidney problems.
Intelligence and Learning Problems
mental retardation (IQ below 70)
slow learning
learning disabilities (especially trouble reading)
delays or lack of abilities in speech and language
being slow or unable to develop motor skills (such as
learning to walk and write).
Behavioral Problems and Mental Illness
short attention span or hyperactivity (attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
depression
psychosis (hallucinations and delusions)
aggressive and defiant behavior (oppositional defiant and
conduct disorders)
drug and alcohol abuse.
Many children with FAS/FAE have behavior problems in school.
More than a third of children with FAS develop drug and
alcohol problems by adolescence and the young adult years.
As people with FAS/FAE get older, they have high rates of
psychological problems. Many have anger control problems
and may be violent. They are at high risk for getting into
trouble with the law.
How are they diagnosed?
A health care provider can diagnose FAS/FAE by:
reviewing prenatal and birth history
giving a physical exam
testing abilities to understand, communicate, move, and
adapt
measuring facial features.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for FAS or FAE.
Certain problems caused by FAS or FAE can often be helped
with treatment. For example, heart problems can often be
helped by surgery. Plastic surgery can help correct severe
face deformities.
For mental retardation and learning disabilities, special
education classes in school can help. All public schools in
the United States offer special classes for retarded and
learning disabled students between the ages of 3 and 19.
For children and adults with behavior problems and
psychological difficulties, treating the particular problem
helps. For example, seeing a mental health therapist can
help children and adults deal with depression, attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or anger.
How long will the effects last?
The effects of FAS/FAE last throughout life. A baby with
FAS/FAE may be irritable, nervous, and very sensitive to sound
and light, and may cry often. The problems change as the child
grows up. Problems with aggressive behavior, depression,
psychosis, and substance abuse commonly begin in the teenage
years.
What can I do to help myself or my loved one?
FAS/FAE can only be prevented by not drinking during
pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.
If you suspect that a baby or child has FAS/FAE, or any of
the problems listed above, get professional help. Children
with FAS/FAE need early diagnosis and medical treatment.
If you know a woman who is pregnant and drinking, talk with
her about stopping drinking. If she has a problem with
repeated drinking, a medical or mental health professional
may be able to help her quit.
For more information, contact:
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
1815 H Street, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20007
Tel: (202) 785-4585
Web site: http://www.nofas.org/
