Fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS, refers to a condition caused by the use or abuse of alcohol during pregnancy. About one in every 750 children born in the United States has developmental deficiencies associated with fetal alcohol syndrome, according to KidsHealth. A condition known as fetal alcohol effects, or FAE, affects another 40,000 infants. Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome might exhibit lifelong physical and mental problems, including delays in achieving the normal developmental milestones expected throughout childhood.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
When a woman is pregnant there is no safe use of alcohol, according to National Institutes of Health. Alcohol easily passes through the placenta to the fetus, and any amount of alcohol can harm the fetus. Large amounts of alcohol, such as that consumed during binge drinking, can cause more fetal harm than small amounts. Alcohol use is especially dangerous to the fetus during the first three months of pregnancy. In addition to the poor growth before and after birth, and development delay, children with FAS also have distinctive facial characteristics.
Developmental Milestones
Although every child is different, most follow a general timeline for reaching developmental milestones. These milestones show that a child is learning, growing and developing normally for his age. The National Network for Childcare lists milestones in several developmental and functional areas: motor skills, sensory and thinking and language and social. The list of developmental milestones shows the expected abilities of children at specific ages, such as 3 months or 1 year.
FAS Symptoms
The symptoms of FAS prevent children from achieving development milestones at the rates expected from children without the syndrome. Symptoms include poor muscle growth, poor coordination and slow development of motor skills. Other symptoms are mental retardation, memory problems, learning problems and poor language skills. Children with FAS often demonstrate a lack of curiosity, poor social skills and behavioral problems. Fetal alcohol syndrome can result in the failure to thrive, a condition characterized by continued low weight and failure to reach physical milestones. Fetal alcohol syndrome also can cause serious medical conditions, such as heart defects, epilepsy and organ dysfunction.
Milestones for Children with FAS
All children with fetal alcohol syndrome have delays in reaching development milestones. The diagnostic standard, according to the National Institutes of Health, is that the child has deficiencies in three or more of the major developmental areas, which are movement, speech, thinking and social skills. Symptoms can vary among children, but normal brain development in a child with FAS is rare. The developmental delays often are not recognized until the child attends school. In an educational setting, the child lags behind other students in many areas.
Screening and Treatment
Fetal alcohol syndrome screening referrals are recommended when there is a suspicion of alcohol use during pregnancy or if a child has the facial features that are characteristic of fetal alcohol syndrome. If you suspect that your child is not reaching developmental milestones, contact your doctor. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome require early diagnosis and treatment to manage their symptoms and develop strategies to meet their needs. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome recommends routine screening for children who are adopted, in foster care or involved with the juvenile system.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- National Network for Childcare: Developmental Milestones -- A Guide for Parents
- KidsHealth: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- KidsHealth: Failure to Thrive
- Kids to Adopt: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
- National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: FASD Identification
