FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME By Meghan Grill Introduction Fetal

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME By: Meghan Grill

Introduction ◦ Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a group of birth effects that can happen to the fetus due to the mothers consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.

Causes of FAS ◦ Fetal alcohol syndrome happens when a mother drinks alcohol during her pregnancy ◦ How it occurs: ◦ -The alcohol enters the baby's bloodstream that is still developing, by crossing the placenta. The fetal metabolizes alcohol slower than adults do. This interferes with the delivery of oxygen and optimal nutrition to the developing tissue and organs.

Symptoms ◦ Symptoms include physical defects, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and problems functioning with daily life. ◦ Affects the physical body, the brain and central nervous system, and social skills. ◦ - example of these will be on the following slides

Physical defects ◦ some physical defects include: ◦ - distinctive facial features which some include- wide-set eyes, thin upper lip, shortupturned noes, and smooth skin surface between noes and the lip ◦ - Deformities of Joint and limbs ◦ - slow physical birth ◦ - vision and hearing problems ◦ – heart defects

Brain and central nervous system defects ◦ Some brain and central nervous system defects consist of: ◦ Poor condition/balance ◦ Delayed development ◦ Rapidly changing moods ◦ Attention trouble and trouble processing information

Social defects ◦ Some social defects that happen due to FAS include: ◦ - poor social skills ◦ Trouble adapting to change ◦ Problem staying on task

Spreading of FAS ◦ Fetal alcohol syndrome is not contagious. ◦ It is only happens when the mother consumes alcohol during her pregnancy. It can depend on how healthy the mother is and the genetic makeup of both the mother and baby.

Treatment ◦ No cure/ treatment ◦ These children are affected there whole life ◦ You can help by early intervention services ◦ Medicine can be taken to help effects but can not cure/get rid of them

facts about FAS ◦ Alcohol can damage the baby at any stage of its development ◦ Alcohol causes more harm than heroin or cocaine during pregnancy ◦ Developing babies lack the ability to process alcohol with their liver, which is not fully formed. They absorb all of the alcohol and have the same blood alcohol content as the mother ◦ Alcohol use during pregnancy is the leading preventable cause of birth defects, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities. ◦ It is estimated that a child born with FAS will cost $2 million over their lifetime between treatment and disability

Citations ◦ “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. ” Web. MD, www. webmd. com/baby/fetal-alcohol-syndrome. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. ◦ “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms. ” Mayo Clinic, www. mayoclinic. org/diseasesconditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-20021015. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017. ◦ Harding, Dr Mary. “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alchohol in Pregnancy and Effects. ” Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Alchohol in Pregnancy and Effects | Patient, Patient. info, patient. info/health/fetalalcohol-syndrome-leaflet. Accessed 7 Apr. 2017.