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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
"FAS stand for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. FAS, a disorder characterized by growth retardation, facial abnormalies, and central nervous system dysfunction (CNS), is caused by woman's use of alcohol during pregnancy" (FAQS, 00). Several studies have found that women, who drink while being pregnant, put their developing fetus at risk of birth defects and spontaneous abortion (FAS, 00). When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it passes easily through the placenta to her fetus. The alcohol interferes with the ability of the fetus to received oxygen and nourishment for normal cell development(FAS, 14). "The U.S Public Heath Service has indicated that there is no safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. All drinks containing alcohol can hurt an unborn baby. A standard 1-ounce can of beer has the same amount of alcohol as a 4-ounce glass of wine"
(Wegmann). The effects of alcohol on a fetus vary, depending on the amount and frequency of the pregnant woman's drinking and the fetus stage of development. The mother's age, time drinking, and food ingested with the alcohol all affect the amount passed to the baby (MSN Health). Babies affected by alcohol can have some or all of the clinical signs of " Fetal Alcohol Syndrome". Children prenatally exposed to alcohol can suffer from mental retardation, physical and behavioral problems.
Most importantly, children exposed to high amounts of alcohol during pregnancy are most likely to be born with mental retardation. As the fetus develops, cells move from one part of the brain to another in pattern. If this migration is interrupted these cells may not grow or function in a properly manner and it can lead to brain damage. Recently, researchers analyzed in more detail the size of the brain in children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and found that they had been born with reduced brain size and displaced nerves. The most affected areas in the brain are the following The "Corpus Callosum". Abnormalities have been linked to deficits in attention, intellectual functioning, reading, learning, and verbal memory. People who have been exposed to alcohol parentally may exhibit impairments on their performances such as the ability to plan and achieve a goal. People exposed to alcohol prenatally, lack of imagination and curiosity, does not understand concepts such as time and money, and have poor language comprehension. Also, the "Hippocampus" is affected causing loss of the ability to store new memories. For example, they cannot remember a doctors appointment. Another area of the brain that is affected by prenatal alcohol exposure is the Cerebellum, which is involved with balance and coordination. People with mental retardation cannot solve problems accurately, and cannot generate rapid responses throughout the entire life. In addition, studies describe children with FAS to perform poorly at all assigned duties (Mattson).
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Moreover, children prenatally exposed to alcohol can be born with major birth defects. Exposure during the first trimester damages the facial features, and is born with growth retardation. Birth defects of alcohol exposure can occur in the first to 8 weeks of pregnancy before the woman even knows she is pregnant (FAS, 00). The facial abnormalities are the most common characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. About 50% of children with FAS have physical deformities such as small eye openings, alterations in nose, an absent of elongated groove between the upper lip and nose, flattened midface, and underdevelopment of the upper or lower jaw. Likewise, prenatal alcohol exposure affects growth at follow up. Studies have found that growth deficits are maintained as the children get older, and it is associated with decreased in birth weight and height. Children with FAS are small for their age (Larkby). As the baby grows and develops, some abnormalities may become apparent. However, some symptoms may be attributed to other condition (MSN Health).
As a result, about 80% of people with FAS commonly exhibit behavioral problems (MSN health). These problems can include poor concentration and attention. Children with FAS cannot live independently because they cannot overcome in life as an adult (Larkby). In addition, children with FAS exhibit higher rate problems; they also demonstrate poor socialization and communication skills because they have antisocial behavior. Behavioral problems can vary depending on the amount of alcohol drinks consumed during pregnancy. In one study, 4-year-old children whose mothers drank one to five drinks per day during pregnancy were less attentive and more active when observed at home, compared with children of control mothers who drank less. At age 7 1/, the children were less attentive and took a longer time to react to a stimulus on a Continuous Performance Task (Larkby). As the affected child gets older is at risk for failure in school because of attention problems. Also, as a teen or adult, he or she is at risk for inappropriate sexual behavior, and substance abuse. In addition, people with FAS tend to have legal problems such as cheating, lying, and stealing (Larkby).
In summary, " Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" is an irreversible life long condition that affects every aspect of a child's life and the life of his or her surroundings. However, FAS is the only birth defect that can be prevented
(FAQS, 00). Unfortunately, women sometimes wait until they confirmed the pregnancy to stop drinking. By then it is too late, the embryo has gone to through several weeks of critical development, a period which exposure to LaterWork Cited
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and Drug Abuse Association, 001.
Wegmann, John MD. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.July ,001
http//www.discovery.com
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Executive Functioning Alcohol Research & Health,Fall 001 V5i
P1(7)
Larkby, Cinthia; Day , Nancy. The Effects Of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Alcohol Health & Research World, Summer 17 V1,n P1(7)
Mattson, Sarah N. Teratogenic Effects Of Alcohol on Brain and Behavior
Alcohol Research & Health, Fall 001 V5i P185(7).
Program Strategies for Preventing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related
Birth Defects. U.S Department of Health, 187.
" Fetal Alcohol Syndrome". Missourri Department of Mental Health.14.
" Secondary Conditions,FAS,NCBDDD,CDC". National Center on Birth
Defects and Developmental Disabilities, March 0,00.
" Fetal Alcohol Syndrome…Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and New York".
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 4,00/51(0); 4
" FAQS,FAS,NCBDDD,CDC". National Center on Birth Defects and
Developmental Disabilities. March 0,00.
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