Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Every time a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, her baby ingests the drug, too. The results of alcohol consumption on an unborn baby are both heavily documented and tragic.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The worst of all possible outcomes is called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines FAS as “a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities … characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system (CNS) problems.”
Babies that are born with FAS grow up to be children and adults who have learning, attention, problem solving, and memory difficulties.
Signs of FAS include low birth weight, developmental delays, poor coordination, behavioral problems and organ dysfunction. The behavioral and developmental delays often get progressively worse as children get older. Some never develop the skills needed to live on their own.
Every year, an estimated 1 of every 750 children is born with FAS symptoms. Another 40,000 are born with symptoms indicative of Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).
Fetal Alcohol Effects
Experts believe the number of children born with FAS and FAE is high because not enough women take seriously the danger of drinking during pregnancy. To date, studies have not found a level of alcohol consumption that could be considered “safe” for pregnant women. Even small amounts of alcohol can have detrimental effects on unborn children.
Though Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is caused by chronic alcohol abuse, consumption of small amounts can cause Fetal Alcohol Effects or another syndrome called Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND).
Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Children with ARND express the behavioral and emotional issues that are indicative of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, but not the developmental delay or physical growth issues.
Unborn children are most at risk during the first trimester, when the brain is developing. As such, women who are trying to, or may become, pregnant should not drink, as many women become pregnant weeks or months before they are aware of the pregnancy.
Though drinking during the early stages of pregnancy is dangerous, drinking during the final weeks and months can be just as detrimental to the baby. There are still complex developmental things happening during the final trimester that can be severely hindered by alcohol. The nervous system in particular is developing during the second and third trimester and can be damaged if the mother drinks.
Protecting Mother & Child
A woman who is pregnant and has been drinking may think it’s too late for her to protect the health of her baby. In reality, though, it’s never too late to stop. Further damage can be prevented if the woman stops drinking right away.
If she is unable to stop, she should seek help immediately before she puts her life, or the life of her unborn child, at greater risk. This is where friends and family can and should step up to help the mother abstain from alcohol. They should support and encourage the mother to avoid social settings where alcohol is involved, and should abstaining from alcohol themselves when they are in her presence. They can also assist her in her efforts to get professional help if she struggles with alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
Fetal alcohol disorders, one of the leading causes of mental retardation and birth defects, are 100 percent preventable simply by abstaining from alcohol. Any women who is pregnant, or could become pregnant, and who has issues related to alcohol consumption should seek help immediately – for her sake, and for the sake of her unborn child.
