What

NOVEMBER 2, 2013

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

By: Shannon Crowley

Statistics:
*15% of women of child bearing age between 18-25 and 53% between the ages of 26-34, report the use of alcohol within the past month. *17% of women of child bearing age between the ages of 18-25 and 13% between the ages of 26-34 report binge drinking with 5 or more drinks on one occasion. *In 1995, four times as many pregnant women frequently consumed alcohol as in 1991. Researchers speculate that the increase in alcohol consumption by pregnant women may be attributed to widespread reports on the health benefits of moderate drinking. *Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is estimated to occur in 1 to 2 live during their pregnancy, 66% reported drinking in their first trimester; 54% reported drinking in their third trimester. *In 2005 it was discovered that many childrens death were caused by FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome).

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in fetus in association with high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. When alcohol passes the placental barrier and can stunt growth or weight,

create a distinctive facial stigmata, damage the neurons and brain structures. When this happens, it can resort to physical or behavior problems, and can cause other physical damage. Fetal Alcohol exposure is the leading cause of MR (Mental Retardation) in the Western World. In the United States and in Europe, the FAS prevalence rate is estimated to be 0.2-2 in every 1000 live births. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is not the same as (FASD) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders, which is a condition which describes a continuum of permanent birth defects caused by a lot of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Testing:
Doctors cant diagnose FAS before the baby is born. If the parent tells the doctor that she drank while pregnant the doctor will watch for signs and symptoms of this syndrome in your childs initial weeks, months and years of life. The doctor asses: *Growth, Facial Features, Vision, Hearing, Motor skills, and Behavior. Cognitive Ability, Language Development,

Symptoms:
Growth Deficiney, Facial Feautures, Central Nervous System, Structural, Neurological, and Functional.

Current Research:
In the United States the Surgeon General recommended in 1981, and again in 2005, that women abstain from alcohol use while pregnant or while planning pregnancy, the latter to avoid damage in the earliest stages of pregnancy, as the woman may not be aware that she has conceived. That explains The Alcohol Labeling Act started in in 1988 and why there are labels on alcoholic beverages.

Current Laws:
There really arent any current laws. Its not healthy for the mother of the child to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Not only can it harm the baby, but the effects of alcohol can affect the mother as well. The community is fighting against Mothers who drink during pregnancy, because children deserve to be healthy including their Mother.

Family Resources:
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency -- www.ncadd.org National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service -- 1-800-662-4357 Alcoholics Anonymous - www.alcoholics-anonymous.org Al-Anon/Alateen - www.al-anon.org

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - www.niaaa.nih.gov/ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - www.samhsa.gov

References:
http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/fetal-alcohol-syndrome http://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/fetal-alcohol-syndrome