Alcohol can harm a baby at any stage of pregnancy — including the earliest weeks, before a woman may even know she is pregnant. Drinking during pregnancy can cause a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Children born with an FASD can have a mix of medical, behavioural, educational and social problems.
Signs and problems
The problems depend on the type of FASD. They can include:
Physical
- abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip;
- small head size;
- shorter-than-average height and low body weight;
- vision or hearing problems;
- problems with the heart, kidneys or bones;
- sleep and sucking problems as a baby.
Learning and behaviour
- poor coordination;
- hyperactive behaviour;
- difficulty with attention and memory;
- learning disabilities and difficulty in school;
- speech and language delays;
- intellectual disability or low IQ;
- poor reasoning and judgement.
The most serious type is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). People with FAS have facial abnormalities, including wide-set, narrow eyes, as well as growth problems and abnormalities of the nervous system.
Diagnosis
FASDs can be hard to diagnose because there is no medical test for them, such as a blood test. A health care provider makes the diagnosis by looking at the child's signs and symptoms and asking whether the mother drank alcohol while pregnant.
Treatment and what helps
FASDs last a lifetime and have no cure, but treatment can help. It may include:
- medicines for some symptoms;
- medical care for health problems;
- behaviour and education therapy;
- training for parents.
A good treatment plan is tailored to the child's own problems, with close monitoring, follow-up and changes when they are needed.
Certain "protective factors" can lessen the effects of FASDs and help people who have them reach their full potential:
- diagnosis before 6 years of age;
- a loving, nurturing and stable home during the school years;
- growing up without violence around them;
- involvement in special education and social services.
Prevention
No amount of alcohol is known to be safe during pregnancy. To prevent FASDs, don't drink alcohol while pregnant or when you might become pregnant.
Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders," drawing on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://medlineplus.gov/fetalalcoholspectrumdisorders.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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