FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Definition of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Definition of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is growth, mental and Syndrome physical problems that may occur if a mother drinks during pregnancy. • In the United States, alcohol is the leading known preventable cause of birth defects. • Many woman drink while pregnant. Estimates are that 1 in 750 births result in FAS.

: Alcohol is a teratogen a substance that is toxic to the baby's developing brain. Darkest segments indicate greatest fetal sensitivity to alcohol exposure for organ systems Lightest segments indicate continued risk with physiological and minor structural abnormalities

POSSIBLE AREAS OF THE BRAIN AFFECTED • • • Frontal Lobes – Executive functions, impulse control and judgment Cerebellum – Coordination, movement, behavior and memory Basal Ganglia – Processes memory, time perception and setting goals Hippocampus – Learning and memory Corpus Callosum – Processes information between the right and left brain

BRAIN IMAGES 6 week old baby MRI brain scans

NORMAL BRAIN VS FETAL ALCOHOL S YNDROME COMPARATIVE MRI SCANS Normal Brain Fetal Alcohol Brain

STRUCTURAL DIFFERENCES Facial features of child with FAS

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF FAS • Learning impairments associated with impaired dendrites of the hippocampus • Impaired motor development and functioning associated with reduced size of the cerebellum • Hyperactivity which is associated with decreased size of the corpus callosum

PREVENTION 4 -Digit Diagnostic Code High Risk - Confirmed use of alcohol during pregnancy known to be at high blood alcohol levels delivered at least weekly in early pregnancy Some Risk - Confirmed use of alcohol during pregnancy with use less than High Risk or unknown usage patterns Unknown Risk - Unknown use of alcohol during pregnancy No Risk - Confirmed absence of prenatal alcohol exposure, which rules out an FAS diagnosis

CONCLUSION • • Irreversible brain damage Not a genetic disorder Children may be “labeled” Healthcare providers need to be informed

Sources Cited Alcohol During Pregnancy: What is FAS? (n. d. ). Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http: //www. thinkpregnancy. org/english/alcohol_fas. htm Data & Statistics. (2014, May 23). Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http: //www. cdc. gov/ncbddd/fasd/data. html NOFAS – National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (n. d. ). Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http: //www. nofas. org/ Sobering Work. (n. d. ). Retrieved December 5, 2014, from http: //www. comeover. to/FAS/Sobering. Work. htm APA formatting by Bib. Me. org.