The Mayo Clinic reports that fetal alcohol syndrome, FAS, is caused by exposing the fetus to alcohol during pregnancy. FAS causes physical and mental defects and behavioral problems that are irreversible. Each year, approximately 40,000 babies are born in the United States with some type of damage attributed to alcohol exposure from beer, wine and liquor. The Nemours Foundation indicates that FAS is preventable.
Symptoms
Symptoms of FAS include low birth weight, developmental delays, organ dysfunction, facial deformities, epilepsy and hyperactivity, among others. If you or someone you know consumed alcohol during her pregnancy and has a child with some of these characteristics, it is possible the child suffers from FAS. Many children, however, go undiagnosed.
Living Strategies for Children
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has these strategies for parents of children with FAS. You can expect poor sleep habits and irritability, so try playing soft music, singing to your baby, frequent holding and rocking and low lighting to comfort her. For chronic ear infections, discuss effective treatments with your pediatrician. Consult with an occupational therapist to address delays in rolling over, crawling and walking. A speech therapist, special toys and tapes can help with a child who has speech delays. Speaking and reading aloud to your baby also could be beneficial.
Prognosis
FAS is preventable, but it is not irreversible. Kidshealth.org reports that problems associated with this syndrome get worse as a child ages. As young adults, it's not uncommon for those with FAS to get involved in criminal activity or lack the ability to live independently.
Adults with FAS
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, suggests that planning should begin early for a person with FAS who is transitioning into adulthood. An estimated 94 percent of adults with FAS will need help managing some aspect of their life, including employment, money management, housing or social skills. Some people might need close supervision and help making decisions on a daily basis. In 2007, SAMHSA reported that 94 percent of people identified as having a fetal-alcohol disorder had mental health problems, and 83 percent needed a dependent living situation.
Prevention
FAS is preventable. But the fact is, according to SAMHSA, among women age 15 to 44, one in two reports using alcohol in the past month. More than one in five pregnant women binge drink in their first trimester. In a study of 80 women in Washington State who gave birth to a baby with FAS, 96 percent had at least one diagnosed mental illness.
