Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a disorder of the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. It leaves physical, functional, and developmental delays and dysfunctions with the individual who has the disorder. Worst of all, it can be avoided! The easiest way to avoid is to avoid alcohol during pregnancy. Here are some ways Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be identified. (60)
Instructions
1. Know what Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a disorder found in the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. The degree of effects on a child during pregnancy is unknown as to how much alcohol is consumed, when the alcohol is consumed, or for how long it is consumed. So the basic advice is to avoid alcohol all together during pregnancy. The main effect of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is damage to the central nervous system, especially affecting the child’s brain. There is no cure for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but it can be treated through medications, behavioral interventions, and in other ways.
2. The first way to identify Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is Growth Deficiency. Growth deficiency refers to an individual’s weight or height (or both) being below average due to the fetus’ exposure to alcohol during the mother’s pregnancy. The growth deficiency of the offspring can be assessed at any point in his or her lifespan.
3. Another way to identify Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is through the presence of distinguished facial features, which is a good indicator of damage to the individual’s brain. Note that brain damage can still be present without the presence of these facial features. Facial features include a smooth philtrum (flattening of the groove between the nose and upper lip), the thinning of the upper lip or vermilion, or decreased width of the eyes (aka small palpebral fissures). Each of these facial features can have a greater extent of damage with increased exposure to alcohol during the pregnancy.
4. Another way to identify Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is through damage to the Central Nervous System. Damage to the Central Nervous System can be diagnosed in three different areas: structural, neurological, and functional. Structural damages show damage to the brain. Structural damage can include microcephaly, or small head size or other abnormalities of the brain structure. Microcephaly is determined by measuring the individual’s head circumference. Other structural abnormalities are detected through imaging, which can be performed by a doctor. If structural impairments don’t exist, the individual’s neurological impairments are checked. Neurological impairments can include epilepsy, seizures, impaired fine motor skills, hearing loss, clumsiness, poor eye-hand coordination, poor gait, or sensory integration dysfunction. If structural and neurological impairments are not observed in the individual, the functional impairments are assessed. Functional impairments are also known as developmental disabilities. There is evidence of behavioral or cognitive abnormalities that are inconsistent with developmental level, such as memory, learning disabilities, social perception, impulse control, academic achievement, communication, math skills, judgment, abstraction, attention, or other developmental skills. Your doctor will have tests he or she can perform to determine the extent of the damage to the Central Nervous System.
5. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be prevented. How can it be prevented? A pregnant woman should never drink alcohol. The damages are irreparable. If you are pregnant, take care of your body and give your child the highest potential of living a strong, long, and healthy life.
Tags: Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, during pregnancy, alcohol during, alcohol during pregnancy