Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders affect an estimated 40,000 children in the United States annually, according to the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence as date of publication. All of the health effects these children endure as a result are completely preventable--if only their mothers had not consumed alcohol while pregnant. If you're expecting, no amount of alcohol is safe for you to drink. The repercussions of prenatal drinking permanently affect your baby's functioning and quality of life.
Prevalence
Despite many public health efforts over the years, alcohol consumption during pregnancy remains a major concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study examining alcohol use among women ages 18 and 44 between 1991 and 2005. The findings, released in May 2009, reveal that drinking habits changed little during that time. About one in eight women consumed alcohol while pregnant, according to the CDC report. Being in the 35 to 44 age group, a college graduate, employed or unmarried were the factors most associated with alcohol use during pregnancy.
Prenatal Effects
Alcohol makes its way to a developing baby through the umbilical cord. A fetus isn't able to break down alcohol as effectively as an adult, keeping the blood alcohol level high for a longer period of time. The more alcohol you consume, the greater the risk is to the baby. Drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy increases the likelihood of structural and functional problems in the brain. Medical imaging methods have shown some babies born without certain parts of their brain. Prenatal exposure to alcohol at any time increases the likelihood the baby's central nervous system and growth will be affected. Drinking during the first trimester could lead to facial defects as well.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
All of these prenatal effects are indicative of conditions collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. The most well-known and most severe of these disorders is fetal alcohol syndrome. Babies with FAS have abnormal facial features, small heads, low body weight, inadequate growth and problems with their central nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Newborns diagnosed with alcohol-related birth defects have organ damage, hearing loss and bone problems. Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder affects children's cognitive development and behavior.
Later Repercussions
The consequences of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are substantial. If your baby is born with one of these conditions, he will have difficulty with impulse control, memory, learning, reasoning and attention. Problems with both vision and hearing are also possible. Your child could be delayed in speaking, learning language and reaching developmental milestones. Academic success becomes a significant challenge as intellectual disabilities are common in kids with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Your child could also suffer socially as misbehavior and lack of cooperation with others are known repercussions of these conditions.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Drinking While Pregnant Still a Problem
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Effects of Alcohol on the Developing Embryo and Fetus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Alcohol Use in Pregnancy
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about FASDs
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence: Frequently Asked Questions about FASD
