Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

The consequences of consuming alcohol during pregnancy can cause lifelong physical

and cognitive deficits for the child. This syndrome can be prevented if the mother of the unborn

child does not consume any alcohol. The following essay will analyze Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

and its effects on the anatomy, specifically the nervous system, physiological and behavioral

symptoms, and treatments or therapeutic interventions for the syndrome.

According to Erica ONeil (2010) white matter in the central nervous system is decreased

due to this syndrome. The damage of neural stem cells, which give rise to glia and neurons, may

be the reason of this reduction in white matter. The consequences of reduced white matter

include cognitive deficits, functional impairments, and behavioral problems. Specific problems

are determined by the location of decreased white matter. Neuroimaging can make it possible to

visualize the effects of alcohol on the developing brain.

The pathophysiology of FAS will be described in the following paragraph as it was

described by David Yabrifa (2015). Alcohol is able to reach the fetus by crossing the placenta.

Because the fetus is still in the stages of development, the liver of the fetus lacks alcohol

dehydrogenase, an enzyme in the liver that metabolizes alcohol. Once the alcohol has reached

the amniotic fluid, it will stay there longer than alcohol in blood. Thus, prolonging the exposure

of the fetus to alcohol. Alcohol disrupts cellular differentiation and growth, DNA and protein

synthesis, and cell migration. There is also an inhibition of vital nutrients across the placenta,

impacting fetal growth. Mental retardation is the largest behavioral component of FAS.

According to Nicole Galan (2015) individuals with mental retardation due to FAS often lack

focus, have hyperactivity, intellectual and learning disabilities, mood swings, and poor judgment.
 Unfortunately, there is no cure for FAS. According to the Mayo Clinic Staff (2014) early

intervention can reduce some of the effects of FAS and prevent some secondary disabilities. For

example, a physical and occupational therapist may help the individual develop walking, talking,

and social skills. Also, the school system may implement the necessary help to compensate for

the individuals learning disabilities. The health care system may provide medical care for the

individuals physical problems such as heart abnormalities and medications to help with the

symptom. Additionally, intervention may be implemented for the mother to target alcohol

consumption if it is not under control. This is done to prevent future pregnancies from being

affected.

Fetal alcohol syndrome can be easily prevented. There is no known safe amount of

alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The anatomical, behavioral, and cognitive deficits can be

devastating for the child. We can all be advocates for children with FAS by raising awareness

about the negative consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

The following passages will address specific topics regarding FAS.

Genetic Influences:

According to the CDC (2010) FAS does not have a genetic component and can be

prevented by avoiding consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The only time genetics plays a

role in FAS is if the mother has a predisposition for alcoholism. Alcoholism does have a genetic

component which is triggered by environmental factors such as multiple events of alcohol

consumption. If the mother becomes an alcoholic, it will become significantly difficult for the

individual to avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Effects on motor/sensory activity:

A study conducted by Lucas et al., (2016) revealed that there are statistically significant

findings which support the observation of motor deficits in individuals with fetal alcohol

syndrome. The study included 108 children from Australia where rates of prenatal alcohol

exposure were high. The authors stated that almost 10% of the children with FASD had

significant motor impairment.

Age relation to FAS:

According to Lucas et al., (2016) fetal alcohol syndrome affects newborn babies that

were exposed to alcohol in the womb. As the child develops, the physical and psychological

disabilities become evident. Since alcohol affects the child during a critical period of

development, the effects are permanent and evident after birth.

Is there a greater prevalence in certain ethnic/cultural or geographical groups?

According to The National Academies Press (1996), women who live in lower-

socioeconomic urban areas are at a high risk to give birth to babies with fetal alcohol syndrome.

According to the article, one of the reasons pregnant women in this subpopulation of America

drink alcohol is due to the lack of knowledge of the possible consequences of this action. In the

article, it was stated that the women who took part in the study were light to moderate drinkers.

Thus, the conclusion of the article was a focus on education programs to inform the population in

an effort to reduce the number of cases of fetal alcohol syndrome.

What are the suspected environmental causes?

As previously mentioned, the only environmental cause of fetal alcohol syndrome is the

consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Since it is the action of alcohol consumption which

affects fetal development, the syndrome can be prevented by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy.
Consumption of alcohol is considered an environmental factor in reference to the fetus. The fetus

is provided nutrients from the mother via the placenta, the babys environment.

References

CDC. (2010). Genetics of Alcohol use Disorder. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from https://www.nofas.org/faqs/what-is-the-
prevalence-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-in-the-united-states/
Galan, N. (2015). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Healthline. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from
http://www.healthline.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome#overview1
Lucas, B., Doney, R., Latimer, J., Watkins, R., Tsang, T., & Hawkes, G. et al. (2016). Impairment
of motor skills in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in remote Australia: The
Lililwan Project. Wiley Online Library. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dar.12375/full
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2014). Fetal alcohol syndrome Treatments and drugs - Mayo Clinic.
Retrieved 14 May 2017, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-
syndrome/basics/treatment/con-20021015
O'Neil, E. (2010). Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure on Central Nervous System Development
| The Embryo Project Encyclopedia. Embryo.asu.edu. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from
https://embryo.asu.edu/pages/effects-prenatal-alcohol-exposure-central-nervous-system-
development
The National Academies Press. (1996). Epidemiology and Surveillance of Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from https://www.nap.edu/read/4991/chapter/7
Yabrifa, D. (2015). Fetal alcohol syndrome. Slideshare.net. Retrieved 14 May 2017, from
https://www.slideshare.net/giftyabrifa9/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-47353034