Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a cluster of mental and physical abnormalities that appear in the offspring of mothers who drink alcohol heavily during pregnancy. When a pregnant mother drinks alcohol, so does her baby. The alcohol first enters into the mother’s bloodstream; the supplier of the growing baby’s nourishment and oxygen. The alcohol then goes through the placenta and enters the blood supply of the growing baby. Interference with the baby’s blood supply will result in problems with its healthy development. Babies born with FAS suffer from several growth deformities. Some of them include small body size and weight and slower than normal development. Some of the skeletal deformities include deformed ribs and sternum, curved spine, small head, and limited movement of the joints. Small eye openings, thin upper lip, opening in the roof of the mouth, and a small jaw are some of the facial abnormalities of FAS babies. FAS babies also suffer from many mental abnormalities. They may have trouble structuring work time, show impaired rates of learning, experience poor memory, and also have trouble generalizing behaviors and information. They might also have poor problem solving strategies, have trouble internalizing modeled behaviors, and may not be able to handle money appropriately. However, FAS is one hundred percent preventable. The best thing a pregnant mother can do for her baby is to completely abstain from drinking alcohol while pregnant.
Effective Strategies for Helping Children with FAS
For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome visit these Websites & read these articles
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome-A Pregnant Pause
seekwellness-Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
'Doctors need to know alcohol, pregnancy don't mix.'
'New study provides first linkage of fetal alcohol syndrome exposure and large heart.'
'Early recognition and treatment of fetal alcohol syndrome improves outcomes.'
