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Alcohol abuse during pregnancy and its effects to child birth

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Background

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems.

Causes

If you drink during pregnancy, you place your baby at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. There is no amount of alcohol that’s known to be safe to consume during pregnancy.

When you’re pregnant and you drink alcohol:

  • Alcohol enters your bloodstream and reaches your developing fetus by crossing the placenta
  • Alcohol causes higher blood alcohol concentrations in your developing baby than in your body because a fetus metabolizes alcohol slower than an adult does
  • Alcohol interferes with the delivery of oxygen and optimal nutrition to your developing baby
  • Exposure to alcohol before birth can harm the development of tissues and organs and cause permanent brain damage in your baby

Types

There are three types of FASDs:

  • fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
  • alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)
  • alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome may include any mix of physical defects, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and problems functioning and coping with daily life.

  • a small head
  • a smooth ridge between the upper lip and nose, small and wide-set eyes, a very thin upper lip, or other abnormal facial features
  • below average height and weight
  • hyperactivity
  • lack of focus
  • poor coordination
  • delayed development and problems in thinking, speech, movement, and social skills
  • poor judgment
  • problems seeing or hearing
  • learning disabilities
  • intellectual disability
  • heart problems
  • kidney defects and abnormalities
  • deformed limbs or fingers
  • mood swings

Prevention

The only way to prevent FAS is for a woman to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

  • Don’t drink alcohol if you’re trying to get pregnant.If you haven’t already stopped drinking, stop as soon as you know you’re pregnant or if you even think you might be pregnant. It’s never too late to stop drinking during your pregnancy, but the sooner you stop, the better it is for your baby.
  • Continue to avoid alcohol throughout your pregnancy.Fetal alcohol syndrome is completely preventable in children whose mothers don’t drink during pregnancy.
  • Consider giving up alcohol during your childbearing yearsif you’re sexually active and you’re having unprotected sex. Many pregnancies are unplanned, and damage can occur in the earliest weeks of pregnancy.
  • If you have an alcohol problem, get help before you get pregnant.Get professional help to determine your level of dependence on alcohol and to develop a treatment plan.