Sometimes, this means that people drink alcohol without realizing that they are pregnant. In this article, we look at why FAS occurs and its symptoms, treatments, and risk factors. We also discuss how people can prevent FAS and when to see a doctor. Call your child’s doctor for an appointment if you have any concerns about your child’s growth and https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/ development. Also, let your child’s doctor know if you drank alcohol during your pregnancy, and if so, how much and how often. If you or the doctor thinks there could be a problem, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist (someone who knows about FASDs), such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or clinical geneticist.
More on Health & Pregnancy
- Prior to research on ND-PAE, diagnostic schema used the term Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND).
- Although the authorities have not approved any medications specifically for the treatment of FAS, doctors may use some drugs to treat certain symptoms.
- Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
- If you’ve consumed alcohol during pregnancy, talk to your healthcare provider.
- From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
A permanent condition, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) happens when a person consumes any amount of alcohol during a pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can interfere with the baby’s development, causing physical and mental defects. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe condition within a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). It is important to recognize that features of ND-PAE are very similar to those of ADHD, and that ADHD is a commonly found co-occurring illness. When assessing a child for ADHD, always include an assessment of prenatal alcohol exposure, growth parameters, and facial features. Many features seen with fetal alcohol syndrome may also occur in children with other disorders.
Characteristics of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)
There is no lab test that can prove a child has fetal alcohol syndrome. The symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome tend to get worse as a person grows up. A doctor, profit and loss statement template counselor, or therapist can create a harm reduction plan and support system to help the person start to reduce their alcohol consumption in a healthy way.
What’s the difference between fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)?
The symptoms of this condition will be with the person throughout their entire life. Over time, a number of secondary effects can happen in people with FAS, particularly in those who aren’t https://www.kelleysbookkeeping.com/texas-suta-increases-will-impact-employers/ treated for the condition in childhood. These are called secondary effects because they’re not part of FAS itself. Instead, these secondary effects happen as a result of having FAS.
What causes fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?
If you’ve already consumed alcohol during pregnancy, it’s never too late to stop. Brain growth in the fetus takes place throughout pregnancy, so stopping alcohol consumption as soon as possible is always best. Fetal alcohol syndrome isn’t curable, and the symptoms will impact your child throughout life. However, early treatment of some symptoms can lessen the severity and improve your child’s development. There isn’t a direct test for FAS and pregnant people may not give a complete history of all alcohol intake during pregnancy.
Children born with this syndrome experience the symptoms throughout their entire lives. Some symptoms can be managed with treatment by a healthcare provider, but they won’t go away. The beginning of fetal development is the most important for the whole body, but organs like the brain continue to develop throughout pregnancy.
FAS is impossible to reverse entirely, but fetal alcohol syndrome treatments can help. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome and their families may benefit from the support of professionals and other families who have experience with this syndrome. Ask your health care provider, social worker or mental health professional for local sources of support for children with fetal alcohol syndrome and their families. Any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Damage to your developing baby can happen at any point during pregnancy. All alcohol, including beer, wine, ciders and hard liquor can all cause FAS.
And other disorders, such as ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and Williams syndrome, have some symptoms like FAS. Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. Tony Loneman, a character in Tommy Orange’s novel There There, was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which he calls “the Drome”. Any assessment that leads to a diagnosis of an FASD must include a history of prenatal alcohol exposure. You can also find your nearest alcohol support services or read advice on cutting down your drinking and alcohol in pregnancy. FASD is completely avoidable if you do not drink alcohol while you’re pregnant.
Talk to the doctor about alternative treatments and whether they’re right for your child. It is never too late to take steps to prevent FAS or to seek help for a child showing symptoms of FAS. People should speak with a doctor or FAS specialist as soon as possible if they have concerns. If the child is more than 3 years of age, parents or caregivers can talk to a pediatrician and contact any nearby elementary school to ask for an evaluation.
The main criteria for diagnosis of FASD is nervous system damage and alcohol exposure, with FAS including congenital malformations of the lips and growth deficiency. Almost all experts recommend that the mother abstain from alcohol use during pregnancy to prevent FASDs. As the woman may not become aware that she has conceived until several weeks into the pregnancy, it is also recommended to abstain while attempting to become pregnant. Although the condition has no known cure, treatment can improve outcomes. The rates of alcohol use, FAS, and FASD are likely to be underestimated, because of the difficulty in making the diagnosis and the reluctance of clinicians to label children and mothers. Some have argued that the FAS label stigmatizes alcohol use, while authorities point out that the risk is real.
There’s no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The type of FASD symptoms a baby has and how severe they are is different depending on how often, and how much, the mother drank during pregnancy. The greater the amount of alcohol consumed, the more severe the symptoms tend to be. If your baby is born with FAS, you can find resources and support through the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Whie FAS is a lifelong condition, early interventions — such as speech therapy, medications and surgeries — can help your child reach her full potential.
