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[W893]With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

by Anne Wolski, Ann

The dangers of consuming alcohol whilst pregnant have only really become fully understood in recent years. When the pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it enters the bloodstream and reduces the ability of the blood in the placenta to provide adequate oxygen to the growing fetus. The infant is born suffering from the same problems as an alcoholic and is therefore subject to withdrawal symptoms from the moment he or she is born. These symptoms include irritability, sleeplessness, and poor appetite.The consequences of fetal alcohol syndrome include deformities and impeded development, though there are doubtless other consequences to this condition as well. It is actually a series of defects, the most serious characteristic being a group of deformities of the head. Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome are also likely to suffer from delayed growth and development.

The main problem with growth in an affected child is that of deficiency which results in the child being small and underweight.

There are also facial abnormalities such as small eyes, sagging eyelids, small jaw, defects in ear formation, and sometimes a hole in the roof of the mouth.

Skeletal underdevelopment results in deformities in the ribs and chest bone, dislocated hips, curvature of the spine, and a small head. Sometimes, these children are born with missing fingers or toes.

Another problem is the effect this syndrome has on the organs. Children born with fetal alcohol syndrome are prone to heart defects, kidney problems, and can even suffer from genital malformation.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is relatively rare and takes place only in the children of mothers who are alcoholic or at least drink regularly and heavily during pregnancy.

Approximately one third of children born to mothers who are alcoholic or who drink heavily during pregnancy are likely to suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome. It is even possible for a child to be born with this syndrome when the mother has drunk only a small amount of alcohol but has done so on a regular basis.

Sometimes a child may not suffer from the entire range of problems associated with fetal alcohol syndrome but the alcohol can still cause a child to be born with development problems which have taken place whilst in the uterus. There is some debate about how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy but it is believed that even small amounts, in the first trimester, can be harmful.

Obviously, the best way to avoid this problem is to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy. It is still possible to enjoy social occasions without consuming alcohol and putting your unborn baby at risk. There are many non-alcoholic wines and so forth available these days and this is a much safer option.

When you are drinking alcohol, it enters your bloodstream and travels to the placenta, where it interacts with the baby. Since babies metabolize alcohol content much slower than adults, the baby's blood alcohol content will naturally be much higher than his or her parent's. The presence of alcohol can deprive the baby of nutrients and impair regular development.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of the few known preventable causes of mental retardation. Physical features of someone with FAS may include any or all of the following: small eyes, a short upturned nose, small head circumference, a thin upper lip, a cleft palate, light sensitivity, hypoplastic kidneys, a short neck, and deformed joints or limbs. It's likely that prenatal exposure to alcohol will have side effects, like slow physical growth/development before and after birth, vision or hearing difficulties, hyperactivity, poor impulse control, extreme nervousness, learning disabilities and a short attention span.

Drinking during the first trimester, when the most basic developments are taking place, is what causes the facial distortions of babies with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. In the early weeks of pregnancy, women may not even know they are pregnant. In France, more than half of pregnant women reported having an occasional glass of wine.

In fact, they see nothing wrong with drinking while pregnant. In America, this is highly discouraged, although doctors find it hard to pinpoint how much alcohol consumption is too much and some say that one glass of wine may actually help development. Of course, binge drinking at any stage of pregnancy can certainly kill a baby and most health professionals discourage even trace amounts of alcoholic drink.

To diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, doctors look at a few basic characteristics, such as unusually low birth weight and size, evidence of physical retardation, such as a small head, small eyes, short eye opening, underdevelopment of the upper lip, a groove between the lip and nose, an upturned nose and flattened cheekbones, as well as intellectual impairment. FAS can be difficult to diagnose before and after birth, may be confused with many other disorders and doesn't have the scientific backing that many other disorders have, thus making it hard to deal with.

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Both Anne Wolski & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Anne Wolski has sinced written about articles on various topics from Anger Control, Cure Anxiety and Health. Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of an information. Anne Wolski's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.

Mike Selvon has sinced written about articles on various topics from Camping, Allergies and Personal Desktop. Learn more about from Mike Selvon's portal, and leave a comment at our. Mike Selvon's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.