Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) refers to a group of physical and mental birth defects resulting from a woman’s drinking alcohol during pregnancy. FAS now surpasses Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida as the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States. The average IQ for persons with fetal alcohol syndrome is sixty-seven. This occurs in one out of seven hundred fifty births a year. Many of these children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
The cause of fetal alcohol syndrome is chronic alcohol or drug consumption during pregnancy. Every time a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol passes through the placenta to the unborn child. Alcohol is more harmful to the fetus than the mother because of the unborn baby’s small size and rapid growth rate. Once a fetus has FAS, the physical and mental damage is irreversible.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is totally preventable. No alcohol means no FAS. A pregnant woman shouldn’t abuse drugs either. There is evidence that indicates an occasional glass of wine or beer is not dangerous, but no usage is recommended.
The ages most affected are newborns. It effects all races and all socio-economic groups.
The signs and symptoms of newborns are poor sucking abilities, poor sleeping habits, irritability, and affects of alcohol withdrawal. Some possible physical abnormalities are a small head circumference below five- percent (Microcephaly). Small eye slits (palpebral fissures), vertical folds of skin extending from upper eyelid to the side of the nose (Epicanthic folds), ridge above upper lip (smooth or indistinct philtrum), protruding forehead, cleft palate, flattening of mid-face, low set or mildly malformed ears, small brain, and hip dislocation and other joint deformalities. Symptoms later on are mental and severe growth retardation, poor coordination and learning disabilities, speech and language difficulties, and ...