It’s common knowledge that you shouldn’t drink alcohol while pregnant. Still, some women, especially those who suffer from alcohol addiction, partake in alcohol use when they’re pregnant. Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause a permanent condition to the fetus, known as fetal alcohol syndrome, that interferes with infant development causing brain damage and growth problems.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a type of disorder that affects people who were exposed to alcohol before birth. It leads to an array of problems which include behavioural, physical, and intellectual development. The disorder is closely associated with autism and children who have been exposed to prenatal substance abuse are usually grouped in the autism spectrum to ensure that they get professional help. However, autism and fetal alcohol syndrome are two distinct disorders that require different treatments.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is also more common than most people know. In the United States and Western Europe, around one out of every 100 newborns is born with FAS. If you suspect your child has fetal alcohol syndrome, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Here are some causes, symptoms, and treatment options you should know about.
Causes of fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome affects newborns whose mothers drank alcohol, such as beer, wine, liquor, or hard ciders, during pregnancy. A fetus doesn’t have a fully developed liver that can break down alcohol, so it can easily get to the baby’s organs and damage them. This can cause miscarriage, birth defects, stillbirth or even preterm labour. It mostly happens when a pregnant woman drinks during the first stage of pregnancy when the toddler’s brain starts to develop.
There is no safe amount of alcohol or time during pregnancy that is considered safe to drink alcohol. Therefore, it’s best to avoid any kind of alcoholic drink throughout the pregnancy to ensure that you deliver a healthy baby. Stopping alcohol use can help improve the fetus’s health and well-being since brain growth happens throughout the pregnancy.
Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome
The severity of fetal alcohol syndrome varies. Some children experience them way more than others. Signs and symptoms may include intellectual or cognitive disabilities, problems in functioning and coping with daily life, and physical defects. Additionally, some of these symptoms are easily noticeable from birth.
Social and Behavioural problems
These are problems encountered by the baby during their growth. They experience problems in their functioning, coping, and socialization with others. Some of the main issues include:
- Problems adapting to change or switching from one task to another
- Poor at socializing with other kids
- Difficulty in goal planning and time management
- Difficulty in school and may experience slow learning
- Poor impulse control and low self-control
- Mood swings
Brain and neurological problems
Exposure to alcohol affects neurological development in the fetus which causes a number of issues. These are some of the problems associated with the brain and the central nervous system.
- Poor memory
- Changing their moods rapidly
- They find it hard to pay attention and always process information slowly
- Hyperactive and always extremely tense and nervous
- Poor coordination and balance
- Difficulty reasoning, identifying the consequences of their actions, and finding it hard to problem solve
- Intellectual disability, learning disorders, and delayed development
Physical defects
These are problems associated with the body organs and structure of the baby. They include:
- Abnormal facial features include a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip, small eyes, and a thin upper lip.
- Short in height and low body weight
- Problems with kidneys and bones
- Small head circumference and brain size
- Difficulty in hearing and vision problems
- Deformities in the finger, joints, and limbs
Treatment
The symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome cannot be cured, but early diagnosis (before age six) and treatment can improve a child’s development and outlook. This condition can be treated by the use of medication and also by applying protective factors, for instance;
- Providing a stable home environment during the school years by loving and nurturing them
- Making sure they get special education and involving them in social services
- Not exposing them to violence
- Use of medications like antidepressants, stimulants, neuroleptics, and anti-anxiety drugs to treat some of the behavioural issues.
- Complementary therapies like massage, yoga, and exercises may also bring some help
If not treated at an early stage, fetal alcohol syndrome can pose a threat later in life. Women who are trying to get pregnant are advised not to drink alcohol while trying to do so, especially while pregnant.
Check out
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