Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

The traits most likely to persist are a thin upper lip and a smaller head circumference. When researchers look at the whole spectrum of disorders (FASD), the frequency may be as high as 1 to 5 out of every 100 kids in the U.S. and Western Europe. The study ran at six schools in western Sweden and constituted an add-on to the regular health check-up for all fourth-grade students.

Taking Care of You and Your Baby While You’re Pregnant

Even if you don’t drink every day, you may put your baby at risk for FASD if you drink alcohol. While FAS is incurable, there are treatments for some symptoms. Depending on the symptoms a child with FAS exhibits, they may need many doctor or specialist visits. Special education and social services can help very young children. For example, speech therapists can work with toddlers to help them learn to talk.

• The condition is most commonly detected in children during kindergarten or primary school, when learning difficulties become apparent.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome is diagnosed based on physical features alone, while other diagnoses may involve confirmation of alcohol exposure.
• People with fetal alcohol syndrome and other FASDs are more likely to develop secondary conditions.
• These state-run services vary by state but include evaluation and services based on your child’s developmental needs.

Zespół FAS: wygląd twarzy dzieci

If you think there could be a problem, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a specialist (someone who knows about FASDs). Specialists could be a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or clinical geneticist. In some cities, there are clinics whose staff members have special training in diagnosing and treating children with FASDs. The more you drink while pregnant, the greater the risk to your unborn baby. Your baby’s brain, heart and blood vessels begin to develop in the early weeks of pregnancy, before you may know you’re pregnant.

Treatment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

The U.S. surgeon general also recommends abstaining from alcohol if you’re trying to conceive. If you’re currently pregnant, it’s never too late to stop drinking—reach out to a healthcare provider if you need help quitting alcohol. Although FAS is an incurable lifelong condition that is underdiagnosed, treatment can improve its symptoms. This article will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of FAS in children and adults. They also try to find out whether the mother drank while they were pregnant and if so, how much. To prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy.

Everyone with FASD is unique, and people with FASD each have different particular challenges. You may also find it helpful to contact a support group for people with FASD. These can be a good source of advice and they may be able to connect you with other people in a similar situation. Your child may be referred to a specialist team for an assessment if there’s a possibility they have the condition.

Social and behavioral issues

Symptoms may include growth problems, behavioral problems, and learning difficulties. Due to broad range of symptoms and their severity, diagnosis is sometimes difficult. The condition is most commonly detected in children during kindergarten or primary school, when learning difficulties become apparent. Although there is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome, early diagnosis and intensive support drunken baby syndrome can ease some symptoms. Without diagnosis or sufficient support, people with this condition are more likely to suffer social and health disadvantages.

• If you are trying to conceive but unable to abstain from drinking, consider seeking the help of a therapist.
• The overall prevalence of FASD in the study group was 5.5%, of which 2.4% concerned FAS.
• If you’ve already consumed alcohol during pregnancy, it’s never too late to stop.
• Unfortunately, up to 5% of first graders in the United States have FASD.
• Treatment focuses on controlling the symptoms of the condition.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Causes

Early detection and treatment can help children learn vital skills and improve their chances of being able to live independently as adults. However, while higher amounts of alcohol are more harmful, there is no known amount or type of alcohol that is safe to consume while pregnant. All alcoholic drinks, including wine and beer, have a similar effect on a developing baby. If you are pregnant and you have been drinking Substance abuse alcohol, be honest with your doctor. They may be able to help you stop drinking before it causes harm to your pregnancy and the developing fetus.