Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Each year in the United States, more than 40,000 babies are born with alcohol-related birth defects. "About 1 infant in 750 suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome" (Papalia, Olds p. 114). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a direct result of a woman's competed disregard for the fetus. FAS is due to pregnant woman who drink alcohol, which than passes through her bloodstream to the placenta and into the baby's bloodstream. The fetal metabolism is fifty percent slower than the mother's, the effects of the alcohol stay with the baby long after it does with the mother. The alcohol intrudes with the ability of the fetus to receive ample amount of oxygen and nourishment for normal development in the brain and other body organs. FAS is a result of the use of teratogens, which are nongenetic influences that can potentially complicate fetal development. The dangerous time for alcohol teratogenicity to be consumed is around the time of conception.

Although alcohol is the only cause of fetal alcohol syndrome, there are unfortunately a numerous amount of effects. "FAS is a disorder characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system problems"

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(www.cdc.gov). Central nervous system handicaps are present in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. A small brain, learning disabilities, short attention span, hyperactivity in childhood, and poor body, hand, and finger coordination are examples of Central nervous system handicaps. Mental handicaps and hyperactivity are probably the most debilitating aspects of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Children with FAS also suffer from facial abnormalities. These abnormalities include: small eyes openings, drooping eyelids, short upturned nose, thing upper lip, and low set of poor formed ears. These facials patterns distinguish children with fetal alcohol syndrome from normal children, however they are not harshly malformed.

A more serious and life threatening symptom of FAS is organ deformities. This includes heart defects, heart murmurs, genital malformation, as well as urinary and kidney defects. Abnormal thyroid functioning and a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system are also present in infants who are born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Prenatal alcohol exposure is one of the leading known causes of mental retardation in the United States. Mental retardation is usually mild to moderate, but occasionally it is severe. "People with FAS may have problems with learning, memory attention span, communication, vision and/ or hearing" (www.cdc.gov). These problems often lead to many difficulties in school and problems in getting along with others. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a life-long condition that has no cure. It affects every aspect of an individual's life and the lives of their family and those who are close to them.

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Children with FAS also face secondary conditions that they are not born with. "They are at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education" (www.cdc.gov). These are serious conditions that need to kept in mind at all time for individuals born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome need a loving, and stable home life in order to avoid disruptions and harmful relationships with others. There are some FAS children who life in abusive and unstable homes,