What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that takes place when a woman consumes too much alcohol during her pregnancy. This prenatal alcohol exposure affects the child unnaturally, causing FAS. Consumption of alcohol can become a dangeorus habit with frequent use, and is especially hazardous during pregnancy. Alcohol rehabilitation centers are open for those seeking recovery from this addiction.
Complications of this disorder vary, ranging from physical to neurological damage. Varying degrees of fetal alcohol syndrome are determined by different factors, primarily the amount of alcohol consumed during the pregnancy. Any defects that arise as a result of this condition are irreversible, although early detection may reduce complications.
Approximately 1 out of every 750 babies born in the United States each year is affected by this condition. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a common cause of mental retardation. In fact, some claim fetal alcohol syndrome to be mental retardation’s leading preventable cause.
Cause of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, this alcohol circulates throughout her bloodstream, eventually arriving at the fetus and crossing the placenta. An unborn baby can not metabolize alcohol as quickly as a normal adult and will have a higher blood alcohol concentration than the mother consuming the alcohol. After crossing the placenta, the alcohol will reduce the oxygen content and block the proper nutrients needed for the baby’s brain and organs. If this process is allowed to take place, serious side effects can occur, namely, fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a horrible result of alcohol intoxication, for mother’s who struggle with alcohol consumption, alcoholic treatment is available at numerous alcohol rehabilitation centers.
Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Common symptoms associated with fetal alcohol syndrome include:
Neurological Damage
- Poor Memory
- Overly anxious
- Immaturity
- Problems with learning abstract concepts
- Difficulty focusing
- Overly friendly to strangers
- Poor judgment
- Impulsive Behavior
Physical Damage
- Difficulty hearing
- Poor coordination
- Stunted or slowed growth
- Small eye openings
- Deformed bones and ligaments
- Small head size
- Heart complications
- Upturned nose
- Sunken nasal bridge
- Organ defects
- Thin upper lip
- Smooth area between upper lip and nose
- Small brain
- Deformity of fingers and toes
Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Long-term effects of this disorder include:
- A constant need for a caretaker, unable to live independently
- Behavioral problems, getting into trouble with the authorities
- Substance abuse
- Mental disabilities never diagnosed that plague the individual
Ultimately, the most painful consequence those with fetal alcohol syndrome face is the fact that this disorder will never go away. For those seeking treatment for alcoholism, numerous alcohol rehabilitation centers are available. If substance abuse is also a problem, drug and alcohol rehab centers are available.
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