Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders FASDs: What to know

17 Nov Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders FASDs: What to know

This usually involves physical examinations and blood tests to rule out genetic conditions that have similar characteristics to FASD. Speak to a GP or health visitor if https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you have any concerns about your child’s development or think they could have FASD. FASD can happen when alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to her baby through the placenta. There are also several other disorders, like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Williams syndrome, that can have some of the same symptoms.

Facial features

The physical and mental conditions caused by alcohol exposure before birth are lifelong. But early intervention services may help lessen some of the challenges of fetal alcohol syndrome and may help prevent some secondary disabilities. Prenatal alcohol exposure and central nervous system (CNS) involvement are factors common to the disorders encompassing FASD. A permanent condition, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) happens when a woman consumes any amount of alcohol during a pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can interfere with the fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms baby’s development, causing physical and mental defects. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe condition within a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

Quantity of Alcohol Linked to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Alcohol is a “teratogen,” something known to cause abnormalities in a fetus after prenatal exposure.
• Previously known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), FASD affects brain development, behaviour, learning, and overall health.
• People with FASDs have a combination of physical, developmental, behavioral and learning challenges that range from mild to severe.
• If you’re concerned that your child may have FASD, you should see your doctor.

In some cases, your healthcare provider might be able to diagnose a child with fetal alcohol syndrome at birth based on small size and specific physical appearance. However, diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can be difficult. FASD may present in childhood or early adulthood with mild social or intellectual concerns, or it can present with birth defects and growth problems during pregnancy. 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.

What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Individuals with FASD can also have permanent vision and hearing problems; poorly developed bones, limbs and fingers; and damage to the heart, kidney, liver and other organs. The most effective treatments for fetal alcohol syndrome target your child’s specific issues. There are no medications to treat fetal alcohol syndrome specifically. But certain medicines can help with symptoms such as hyperactivity, inability to focus, what is alcoholism or anxiety. They also try to find out whether the mother drank while they were pregnant and if so, how much. Talk to a health care provider if you think you or a loved one may have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

• Parents and caregivers often experience heightened stress, frustration and feelings of helplessness while navigating the complexities of FASD.
• The exact number of children who have an FASD is difficult to determine.
• There is limited research into the strengths of FASD behaviors.
• In fact, consuming alcohol of any kind may decrease the amount of milk your baby drinks.
• Pregnant people who consume large amounts of alcohol regularly or engage in binge drinking (consuming several drinks in a short period) are at the highest risk of having a child with FASD.

Diagnosis of FAS

• Request a free evaluation to find out if your child can get services to help.
• Many times, doctors diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome long before a person becomes a teenager.
• However, it is important for the father of the baby or the supportive partner to encourage the pregnant person to abstain from alcohol throughout the pregnancy.
• Individuals with FASD often experience difficulties in forming and maintaining friendships due to challenges in understanding social cues and appropriate behaviour.

But, for people with FASDs, concerns specific to the disorder must also be monitored and addressed. This can be done by a current healthcare provider or through referral to a specialist. The types of treatments needed will be different for each person and depend upon the person’s symptoms.

#BeAware pregnancy

• We’ve gathered information to help you feel prepared talking with your teenager’s doctor.
• Diagnosing FASDs can be difficult because there is no single or simple test that can cover the broad range of FASD signs and symptoms.
• If you adopted a child or are providing foster care, you may not know if the biological mother drank alcohol while pregnant.
• A healthcare professional specializing in FAS can help determine the cause.

However, recognizing the problem early and getting treatment for symptoms of the disorder can improve outcomes for your child. An early diagnosis and appropriate interventions and support result in more positive outcomes for people with the disorder. There is no single test that can cover the disorder’s wide range of signs and symptoms. Receiving treatment as soon as possible in childhood can help decrease the likelihood of developing these secondary effects in life. If you’re a heavy drinker, reach out to a doctor for support. Other helpful resources include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA).

Risk Factors

Having four or more drinks within two hours is considered a single binge-drinking episode for females. If your child is diagnosed with an FASD, the diagnosis will be for a specific condition under the umbrella of FASDs, as listed above. Contact the Family Navigator program provided by FASD United (formerly NOFAS). This provides individuals living with FASDs and their family members and caregivers with expert, confidential support and referrals. The introduction of the new NICE Guidelines in the United Kingdom has brought a demand for greater understanding of FASD, its causes and its effects on society. Awareness of FASD is growing among community paediatricians, midwives, SENCOs, GPs, social workers, lawyers, police, foster carers and adoptive families.

There is no safe type of alcoholic beverage to consume while pregnant. For example, red wine is no safer than white wine, beer, or mixed drinks, since all contain alcohol. Children older than 3 are not eligible for early intervention, but they can qualify for special education services before kindergarten or while enrolled in school.