Symptoms in childhood may change as the child grows older. One of the most serious problems FASD can cause is developmental delay. FASD is the leading cause of preventable developmental delays in the United States.
Departments that Treat Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Other Teratogens
Most often, FAS is diagnosed based on the mother’s history and the appearance of the baby, based on a physician examination by a drunken baby syndrome physician. MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us. A physical exam of the baby may show a heart murmur or other heart problems.
Diagnosis
It’s really not possible to say that only shaking is the only cause of the SBS findings. There are also risk factors—again, it can be medical conditions. He said, like the child-neurology specialist at the hospital, that it could be a medical condition and that maybe it was not shaken baby syndrome. So there were two different opinions in terms of medical experts. And on this uncertainty, the judge decided to drop all charges, and the nanny was cleared after four years. There are other medical conditions and even accidental injuries to a child that may resemble abusive head trauma.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms You Should Know
On today’s episode of Good on Paper, I talk with a neuroscientist who found himself personally embroiled in this scientific and legal controversy when a caretaker was accused of shaking his child. Although anyone can injure a baby in a moment of frustration, most prevention research has focused specifically on helping parents understand why infants cry or become fussy. Recognizing your infant’s needs and addressing those needs is an important piece of learning how to parent. Studies have shown that focused education for new parents in maternity wards by nurses is effective. As a pediatrician working in a children’s hospital and trauma center, it will never get easier for me to see infants and children with abusive injuries as well as other head traumas.
- All children with involvement in foster care or adoption processes―especially international adoptions―should always be evaluated for a possible FASD.
- It is essential to speak with a doctor as soon as possible if a child shows signs of FAS.
- All alcohol, including beer, wine, ciders and hard liquor can all cause FAS.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe condition within a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
- It’s possible that even small amounts of alcohol consumed during pregnancy can damage your developing fetus.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome happens when a person drinks any alcohol during pregnancy, including wine, beer, hard ciders and “hard liquor”.
- Your child may be referred to a specialist team for an assessment if there’s a possibility they have the condition.
What causes fetal alcohol syndrome and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders?
People with FASDs can have lifelong effects, including problems with behavior and learning as well as physical problems. FASDs are preventable if a developing baby is not exposed to alcohol. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that develops in a fetus when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy.
Symptoms
Infants born to mothers who drink, even in modest amounts, may be alcoholism symptoms born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which often consists of growth retardation, unusual facial features, and intellectual disability. FASD can cause a wide range of symptoms and often presents differently based on a multitude of factors. Effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications.
There are no medications to treat fetal alcohol syndrome specifically. But certain medicines can help with symptoms such as hyperactivity, inability to focus, or anxiety. If you adopted a child or are providing foster care, you may not know if the biological mother drank alcohol while pregnant. International adoption from some countries may have a higher rate of alcohol use by pregnant mothers. If you have concerns about your child’s learning or behavior, talk with your child’s healthcare professional to find out what might be causing these problems. There is no amount of alcohol that’s known to be safe to drink during pregnancy.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
As a result, when a fetus becomes exposed to alcohol, they absorb all of it. If you’re pregnant and struggling with an alcohol problem, talk to a midwife or doctor. 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 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. Most people with FASD have most often been misdiagnosed with ADHD due to the large overlap between their behavioral deficits.
Treatment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Diagnosing FASDs can be hard because there is no medical test, like a blood test, for these conditions. And other disorders, such as ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and Williams syndrome, have some symptoms like FAS. FASDs can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Receiving treatment as soon as possible in childhood can help decrease the likelihood of developing these secondary effects in life. Fetal alcohol syndrome isn’t curable, and the symptoms will impact your child throughout life.
People with FAS may have problems with their vision, hearing, memory, attention span, and abilities to learn and communicate. While the defects vary from one person to another, the damage is often permanent. The term FASDs is not meant for use as a clinical diagnosis. If your child is diagnosed with an FASD, the diagnosis will be for a specific condition under the umbrella of FASDs, as listed above. Alcohol — including wine, beer, and liquor — is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the U.S.
Leave a Reply