Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

3 Pages 754 Words

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome


Objective…
After the reading and discussion of my very informative paper, the Student will be able to understand the causes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, signs & symptoms, and how as future nurses, we can prevent further complications.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?¿?
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of physical and mental birth defects that can result when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman drinks any type of alcohol, such as beer, wine, or mixed drinks, so does her baby. Alcohol passes through the placenta right into the developing fetus and as a result, the child may suffer lifelong damage.
FAS is characterized by three major characteristics: (1) abnormal facial features, (2) growth deficiencies, and (3) central nervous system (CNS) problems. People with FAS may have problems with learning, memory, low birth weight, skeletal deformities, little attention span, communication, vision, and/or hearing. These problems often lead to difficulties in school and problems getting along with others.
FAS is a permanent condition. It affects every aspect of an individual’s life and the lives of his or her family.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis.
Many terms have been used to describe children who have some, but not all, of the clinical signs of FAS. Three terms you may commonly hear are Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopment Disorder (ARND), and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD). FAE has been used to describe children who have all of the diagnostic features of FAS, but at mild or less severe levels. These include behavioral and/or cog...