Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

If a child with FAS receives an early diagnosis, special support with education and development, and a stable and loving environment to grow up in, they will be more likely to reach their full potential. Babies with FASD may require support to help them reach developmental milestones, such as walking, talking, communicating, and solving problems. The general signs of FASD include irritability and jitteriness, but they can vary widely from person to person. As a result, there are clearer signs that a baby might have FASD than how they are crying. For instance, an older study from 1981 reported that a high-pitched cry was rare among infants showing signs of alcohol withdrawal after birth.

Diagnosis

To diagnose someone with FAS, the doctor must determine that they have abnormal facial features, slower than normal growth, and central nervous system problems. They might present as hyperactivity, lack of coordination or focus, or learning disabilities. 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. 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.

• This is because it takes time for your body to build up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that develops in early pregnancy) to be detected on a pregnancy test.
• Prognosis is guarded; however, recent research with chick embryos may help guide future treatments to reverse the damage caused to the brain by prenatal alcohol exposure.
• Alcohol strongly affects the release of neuritogenic factors by astrocytes (Tomás et al., 2005).
• Receiving treatment as soon as possible in childhood can help decrease the likelihood of developing these secondary effects in life.
• State and local social services can help families with special education and social services.

Symptoms

One person might have only a few, while another person could experience all of them. An individual with FAS may have noticeable changes to their drunken baby syndrome face and limbs, as well as delays in the way their body develops over time. There can also be mental and emotional challenges throughout the person’s life that can impact their social life, education and work.

Neurodevelopmental Symptoms

If the child is more than 3 years of age, parents or caregivers can talk to a pediatrician and contact any nearby elementary school to ask for an evaluation. If the staff members are not familiar with the evaluation process, the next step is to ask to speak with the district’s special education director. The frequency, strength, and quantity of alcoholic drinks have an effect, as well as the timing of consumption. Drinking alcohol late in a pregnancy increases the likelihood of FAS. Generally, the more alcohol a person consumes during pregnancy, the higher the chance of FAS.

Most often, FASDs are diagnosed based on the mother’s history and the appearance of the baby, based on a physical examination by a doctor. The symptoms of FASDs may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Some parents and their children seek alternative treatments outside of the medical establishment. These include healing practices, such as massage and acupuncture (the placement of thin needles into key body areas). Alternative treatments also include movement techniques, such as exercise or yoga. Parents and siblings might also need help in dealing with the challenges this condition can cause.

• Unfortunately, up to 5% of first graders in the United States have FASD.
• Because early diagnosis may help lessen the risk of some challenges for children with fetal alcohol syndrome, let your child’s healthcare professional know if you drank alcohol while you were pregnant.

Whole-Body Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The Division of Newborn Medicine specializes in treating babies with a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions. Especially striking was the finding that prenatal tobacco exposure alone had an effect on brain volume that fell just short of statistical significance. “About 20 percent of women who smoke continue to do so during pregnancy,” Rivkin notes. Alcohol use in pregnancy has significant effects on the fetus and your baby. For instance, friendship training teaches kids social skills for interacting with their peers. Executive function training may improve skills such as self-control, reasoning, and understanding cause and effect.

Brooke

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