Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Facts

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), as you must have already guessed, is associated with fetus. It is a medical condition that affects a developing fetus which is exposed to alcohol. This means, drinking during pregnancy means risking your baby to develop this condition, the damage of which is irreversible and unfortunately, incurable. The damage may include severe defects in the physical and mental being of the child, before and after birth. However, the type and severity of the defects may vary from one child to another. It is shocking to known that in the United States, which is one of the top most developed countries, there are about 40,000 cases of infants who develop some kind of alcohol-related diseases, each year. The rest of the facts about this condition have been discussed in the following, in the form of its causes, symptoms and possible treatment measures.

Important Information About FAS

Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms exhibited by a child affected with fetal alcohol syndrome may include:

• Problems with the heart function
• Joints, limbs and digits are deformed
• Growth is slower postnatal and prenatal, compared with other kids
• Facial features are not different from normal children. Eyes would be small, thin upper lip, upturned nose and the presence of an unusual smoothness of the skin that lies between the nose and the upper lip
• Affected kids face eye problems and hearing issues
• Sleep disorders
• Coordination is impaired
• Unsound mental being and slow development
• Difficulties in learning stuffs
• Head and brain size is usually smaller than normal
• Extreme anxiety and nervousness

Causes
When alcohol is consumed, it gets dissolved in the bloodstream. In cases of a pregnant mother, the substance then reaches the fetus, crossing the placenta. Now, due to obvious reasons the developing fetus' ability to metabolize a liquid such as alcohol is negligible when compared to the body of the mother. So this leaves the blood alcohol concentration in the baby's body at a higher level, than the mother's body. As a result of this, the fetus does not receive enough oxygen and nutrition, for the growth of its organs, tissues and brain. In this way, the alcohol impairs the bones, facial muscles, heart, brain and many other organs of the developing baby, resulting in the ill-effects cited above, a combination of which is known as fetal alcohol syndrome. With higher consumption of alcohol, the baby's health deteriorates further and with increased intensity.

Treatment
As mentioned, no cure has yet been evolved in medical science which can help a child to get back his normal functions, which would have been there, if her mother had understood the horrid repercussion of her fancy for drinking alcohol. A few methods are there which can help to somehow manage the symptoms. But these methods cannot be deemed as specific treatment options. Some of these may include surgical procedures to deal with any heart malfunctions, and special schools which would understand the special needs of the affected child with his/her learning ability. Most kids have also benefited by going for counseling sessions conducted by professional.

After going through all these FAS facts, you may have understood one point, and that is prevention of this condition is the only to treat it. And the only way to it is to shun drinking for good. And mothers who think that they have a drinking problem, must get themselves advised from a professional to develop a treatment plan. Do not forget that, your actions now, would decide the entire course of your baby's life once he steps into this world.