ABOUT FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a result of a mother consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can effect the development of the unborn child and cause birth defects.
Russell (2007, p22) explains that it does not matter how much alcohol the mother consumes during pregnancy. While the mother is drinking alcohol, it "crosses the placental barrier and circulates through the baby's system". You must consider that an adult has a fully formed liver and is able to metabolise alcohol. An unborn child does not have a fully developed liver. The blood alcohol level in the unborn child is the same as the mother's and the alcohol remains in the unborn child's body longer. There is no way of gauging the "known level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy that is safe for the baby".
Below is a diagram taken from Russell's (2007, p23) book displaying the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the development of an unborn child.
Russell (2007, p22) explains that it does not matter how much alcohol the mother consumes during pregnancy. While the mother is drinking alcohol, it "crosses the placental barrier and circulates through the baby's system". You must consider that an adult has a fully formed liver and is able to metabolise alcohol. An unborn child does not have a fully developed liver. The blood alcohol level in the unborn child is the same as the mother's and the alcohol remains in the unborn child's body longer. There is no way of gauging the "known level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy that is safe for the baby".
Below is a diagram taken from Russell's (2007, p23) book displaying the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the development of an unborn child.
History of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome*
In 1973, scientists discovered that drinking alcohol during pregnancy was affecting the development of the unborn child. It was recognised that there was a "distinctive pattern of:
Before this time, physicians were not aware that consuming liquor, whilst pregnant, was harming the unborn baby and therefore pregnant mothers were not told to stop drinking. The effects of prenatal alcohol consumption were not always obvious because there were no significant physical attributes to suggest the child had a disability.
Research began, predominantly in the United States and Canada, and the disability was named Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
* Information obtained from Ministry of Education: Du kan også lese den ved å klikke på bildet under (n.d.)
In 1973, scientists discovered that drinking alcohol during pregnancy was affecting the development of the unborn child. It was recognised that there was a "distinctive pattern of:
- delayed growth,
- intellectual and behavioural disabilities", and
- abnormal facial characteristics
Before this time, physicians were not aware that consuming liquor, whilst pregnant, was harming the unborn baby and therefore pregnant mothers were not told to stop drinking. The effects of prenatal alcohol consumption were not always obvious because there were no significant physical attributes to suggest the child had a disability.
Research began, predominantly in the United States and Canada, and the disability was named Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
* Information obtained from Ministry of Education: Du kan også lese den ved å klikke på bildet under (n.d.)
Effects and diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a brain injury. A person with FAS cannot help or change the way they are. They can however, improve who they are with the right support. The only prevention of FAS is to avoid consumption of alcohol during pregnancy, other than that there is no cure.
Russell (2007, 26-27) suggests that in order to diagnose a person with the full effects of FAS, of course other than knowing the mother's alcohol history, they must have the following features:
- pre and post-natal growth deficiency
- a distinct pattern of cranio-facial malformationsd
- brain and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction
Pre and post-natal growth deficiency may include facial and other anomalies:
- short palpebral fissures (small eye opening), poor development of optic nerve, crossed-eyes
- flat midface (flat cheeks)
- short nose
- indistinct philtrum (no dip in upper lip)
- thin upper lip
- micrognathia (underdeveloped jaw)
- epicanthal folds (skin folds from the upper eyelid over the inner corner of the eye)
- low nasal bridge
- minor ear anomalies
- low birth weight
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According to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh: UPMC (n.d.) and Russell (2007, p27), brain and CNS abnormalities may consist of one or more of the following:
- small head size
- caved-in chest wall
- umbilical or diaphragmatic hernia
- limited movement of fingers and elbows
- extra fingers, abnormal palm creases
- excessive hair
- under-grown nails
- heart murmurs, heart defects, abnormalities of large vessels
- incomplete development of genetalia
- defects of other organs
- structural abnormalities of the brain (incomplete or lack of development of brain structures)
- neurological problems (impaired motor skills, poor coordination, hearing loss, visual problems)
- behavioural and/or cognitive problems (irritability in infancy and hyperactivity in childhood, intellectual disability; learning difficulties; poor impulse control; problems in social perception; problems in memory, attention, reasoning and judgement; and deficits in some mathematical and language skills)
Note: Not all children displaying these features necessarily have FAS. They may have another medical condition.
Please keep an opened-mind at all times and remind yourself that it is not the student's fault, they have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
