Fetal alcohol syndrome -Upotreblenie alcohol during pregnancy – FAS

Description of fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) It refers to a group of diseases, caused by alcohol. It may occur, when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol can cause birth defects in the child. These defects make up FAS.

Causes FAS

Alcohol can be transmitted from the mother's blood in the baby's blood. It is transmitted through the placenta. Even small amounts of alcohol can damage the fetus. Doctors do not know, how much alcohol is required, to cause defects. The risk increases on a scale of moderate consumption to drunkenness. Even small amounts of alcohol can be dangerous for the fetus.

Risk factors for fetal alcohol syndrome

Factors, which increases the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome:

• Unplanned pregnancy;
• Failure to recognize early pregnancy and the use of alcohol at the time;
• Alcoholism;
• Lack of knowledge about the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy;
• Increased maternal age;
• Low socio-economic status.

The symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome

Babies with fetal alcohol syndrome may have the following physical symptoms:

• Low birth weight;
• The small size and growth retardation;
• Small head;
• Small eyes;
• Short, flat nose;
• Flat cheek;
• Small jaw;
• The ears are of unusual shape;
• Thin upper lip;
• Problems with hearing and vision;
• Heart defects;
• Little, malformed brain;
• Slight defects, which can limit the movement;
• Teeth with cavities;
• Ear Infections.

As the baby grows, may develop other symptoms , including:

• Lack of appetite and poor sleep;
• Delayed development of speech;
• Learning disabilities;
• Deficiency of care;
• Low IQ;
• Intellectual disability;
• Poor coordination of movements;
• Behavior Problems;
• Poor ability to control emotions;
• Problems in communicating with other children.

Adolescents and adults with FAS often experience social and emotional problems, which include:

• Problems at school;
• Inability to hold a job;
• Problems in the independent living;
• Mental health problems;
• Alcohol or drug abuse;
• Anxiety disorders;
• The complexity of managing emotions and anger;
• Legal issues.

Diagnosing FAS

The doctor finds out the fact of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. We estimate the growth of the child, carried out a physical inspection. Diagnosis is based on:

• Time of alcohol;
• Characteristics appearance;
• Slow growth;
• Problems with the nervous system.

Some children with this disease do not have the typical signs of FAS. Their condition is described as:

• Fetal alcohol effects;
• Nervous disorders, associated with alcohol consumption.

Early diagnosis can help your child get the help in the treatment of.

Treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome

There are no specific treatments for this condition. Links Support, Education home.

Social support

Professional support helps a family cope with caring for a child with birth defects. Services include child care and parent training. You can learn ways to handle behavior problems and stress management techniques to learn.

Special education

Programs, developed, to meet the needs of a child with FAS, improve training. For Example, Some tasks must be repeated from time to time. Tasks, perhaps, must be broken down into smaller steps.

Favorable environment

• It is necessary to adhere to the recommended procedures;
• It recommended the creation of simple rules, limitations and consequences;
• It should encourage the child with good behavior;
• You can not threaten a child. Violence or abuse increases the risk of response in this way. Child, perhaps, It requires special training, to learn to cope with anger.

Prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome

Efforts to prevent FAS are important.

• You should avoid drinking alcohol, pregnancy or trying to conceive. Besides, It advised to take folic acid, for the prevention of other congenital defects;
• You should avoid drinking and using contraceptives, since it is likely to become pregnant by accident, without knowing it. Fetus can develop FAS, and with the decision to leave a child, He may be born with disabilities;
• It is necessary to seek medical help, if you can not stop drinking on their own;
• During alcohol, in sex, you need to use contraception.