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EFFECTS OF PRENATAL EXPOSURE TO ALCOHOL |
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading known cause of mental retardation
and birth defects. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a result of alcohol
consumption during pregnancy. More American babies are born with
FAS than cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, HIV, Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome, spinal bifida, and muscular dystrophy combined.
It's unreasonable to assume that a single factor can explain the
effects that can result from drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Alcohol is a teratogen, which is a substance known to be toxic
to human development. A woman's blood supplies the unborn child
with oxygen and nourishment through blood vessels in the placenta.
If a woman drinks during her pregnancy she is sharing that drink
with her unborn child through the same process.
The type of alcohol is not a factor. It can be beer, wine, or
liquor. There is no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during
pregnancy!
PRIMARY DISABILITIES
Primary disabilities are the permanent physical and mental
defects that occur from alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
There is no way to get rid of these defects. They last forever.
Some physical characteristics can include facial abnormalities,
small birth weight, small head circumference, organ dysfunction,
kidney troubles, cardiac murmurs, heart defects, shortened fingers,
large amounts of facial hair, impaired vision and impaired hearing.
Some mental characteristics can include difficulties with memory,
attention, judgment, hyperactivity, poor organization, low impulse
control, problems eating and sleeping, trouble following directions,
and learning to do simple things.
SECONDARY
DISABILITIES
Secondary disabilities occur when a child with FAS doesn't
receive support services from their family, medical community,
and society in general. These disabilities are completely preventable.
They can include mental health problems, suspension, expulsion,
or dropping out of school, trouble with the law, inappropriate
sexual behavior, unwanted pregnancies, and alcohol/drug abuse.
FAS FALLOUT
FAS fallout is the third condition that can occur. This condition affects the families caring for the individuals who have FAS, primarily the parents. The person who is most affected is the mother, but spouses and siblings also experience FAS fallout. In many situations, the child has been adopted without the knowledge that he/she has been exposed to alcohol. A lack of understanding and acceptance of the disorder causes alienation by peers, siblings, and extended family members. There is a high divorce rate for these families. The primary emotions that families with an FAS child experience include guilt, grief, anger, frustration, sadness, depression, stress, and fear.
WHAT DOES FAS COST US?
The lifetime cost for one child affected with FAS is about
$5 million, which doesn't take into account any salary that may
be lost by the mother or father or the impact on the local economy.
In a way, everyone supports a child with FAS. Some expenses include:
Total cost: $4,998,000
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is widely under-diagnosed. Some researchers
feel that 1/3 to 2/3 of all children with special needs have been
irreversibly affected by alcohol in some way. Statistics show:
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SOME PLACES TO TURN TO FOR HELP |
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Alcoholics Anonymous: http://www.alcoholicsanonymous.org
National Association for Perinatal Addiction Research &
Education: 1(800) 638-2229
National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence: http://www.ncadd.org
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse & Alcoholism: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov,
or 1(800) 729-6686
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: http://www.nofas.org
FAS Community Resource Center: http://www.come-over.to/FASCRC
AL-Anon/AL-Ateen Family Group Headquarters: 1(212) 351-9500
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can be
100% preventable if a woman completely abstains from alcohol during
her pregnancy. Doctors should screen all women for alcohol problems
and help them seek treatment to eliminate drinking before conception.
We could also prevent FAS through public awareness and education,
and by making prenatal health care more easily accessible. If
you are consuming alcohol now and are pregnant, please stop! Abstaining
from alcohol for the rest of your pregnancy can have a beneficial
effect. The sooner you stop drinking alcohol while pregnant, the
better chance you have for a healthy baby.
REFRENCES
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/3172.11553
http://www.come-over.to/FAS/
http://content.health.msn.com/content/article/1680.51836
http://www.nofas.org
http://silk.nih.gov/silks/niaaa1/publication/brochure.htm