Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that develops in a fetus (developing baby) when a pregnant person drinks alcohol during pregnancy. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that happen together as the result of a particular disease or abnormal condition. When someone has fetal alcohol syndrome, they’re at the most severe end of what are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most severe form of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, a range of conditions caused by exposure to alcohol in the womb. FAS symptoms include distinctive facial features, lower-than-average height and weight, and problems with brain and nervous system development. There is no single test for fetal alcohol syndrome (a lifelong condition), but early detection and treatment can greatly improve the lives of children with FAS.
What difficulties can teenagers with fetal alcohol syndrome experience in school?
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. Call your child’s doctor or other healthcare professional for an appointment if you have any concerns about your child’s growth and development.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of abnormalities that occur in babies born to mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy. It is the most common known non-genetic (in other words, non-inherited) cause of mental retardation in the United States. It is estimated that as many as three babies in 1,000 will have FAS.
Developmental stages
- Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome may include any mix of issues with how the body develops; thinking, learning and behavior; and functioning and coping in daily life.
- Such programs may focus on improving a child’s behavior with early education and tutoring.
- In this article, we look at why FAS occurs and its symptoms, treatments, and risk factors.
- FASDs can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth.
To prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy. There is no amount of alcohol that’s known to be safe to drink during pregnancy. If you drink during pregnancy, you place your baby at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. Early intervention and a stable, nurturing home are important to protect children with fetal alcohol syndrome from some of the other issues they’re at risk of later in life.
Partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS)
All alcohol, including beer, wine, ciders and hard liquor can all cause FAS. If you are pregnant and can’t stop drinking alcohol, ask your obstetrician, primary care doctor or other healthcare professional for help. You also may choose to talk to a mental health professional. A social worker can direct you to community programs that offer help, for example, Alcoholics Anonymous. Signs of liver damage present differently based on the underlying cause.
Fetal alcohol syndrome happens when a person drinks any alcohol during pregnancy, including wine, beer, hard ciders and “hard liquor”. One reason alcohol is dangerous during pregnancy is that it’s passed through your bloodstream to the fetus through the umbilical cord. The baby doesn’t metabolize (break down) alcohol in the same way an adult does – it stays in the body for a longer period of time. This condition can be prevented if you don’t drink any alcohol during pregnancy. It’s possible that even small amounts of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can damage your developing fetus.
- Your baby’s brain, heart and blood vessels begin to develop in the early weeks of pregnancy, before you may know you’re pregnant.
- These can be a good source of advice and they may be able to connect you with other people in a similar situation.
- The outlook for individuals with FASDs varies based on the severity of their symptoms and how much support they receive.
- There are currently five conditions that make up FASD, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
- “About 20 percent of women who smoke continue to do so during pregnancy,” Rivkin notes.
Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person exposed to alcohol before birth. These conditions can affect each person in different ways and can range from mild to severe. People with FASDs can have lifelong effects, including problems with behavior and learning as well as physical problems. celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome FASDs are preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol. Not all infants exposed to alcohol in utero will have detectable FASD or pregnancy complications. The risk of FASD increases with amount consumed, the frequency of consumption, and longer duration of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, particularly binge drinking.
At the same time as you ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a specialist, call your state or territory’s early intervention program. Request a free evaluation to find out if your child can get services to help. You do not need to wait for a healthcare provider’s referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If you think there could be a problem, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a specialist (someone who knows about FASDs).
While we realize this term may not match your gender experience, it’s the term used by the researchers whose data was cited. Each type includes different physical or developmental characteristics on the spectrum. Diagnosing FASDs can be hard because there is no medical test, like a blood test, for these conditions. And other disorders, such as ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and Williams syndrome, have some symptoms like FAS.
- Having four or more drinks within two hours is considered a single binge-drinking episode for females.
- This may be a developmental pediatrician, a neurologist or another expert.
- However, with early identification and support, children with FAS can learn important skills that can aid their development.
- One reason alcohol is dangerous during pregnancy is that it’s passed through your bloodstream to the fetus through the umbilical cord.