About Us    Contact Us    Careers    Site Map    Search

Health Care Services    Hospitals & Facilities    Health Information    Find a Doctor    Why Choose Baptist
 
Home Health Information Health Topic Library Child & Teen Health
Fetal Alcohol Problems
 
What are fetal alcohol problems?
Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) are a less severe set of the same symptoms. How do they occur? FAS/FAE can happen when a pregnant woman drinks beer, wine, or hard liquor. Any amount of drinking during pregnancy can cause FAS/FAE. The more a woman drinks, the greater the chance her baby will be born with problems. Drinking any alcohol during pregnancy is not recommended. The risk of FAS is especially high if you have 7 or more drinks per week or 5 in one day.

The time during the pregnancy when the mother drinks affects the risk to the baby and the kinds of problems the baby might have. Drinking during the first 3 months (first trimester) is the most serious. Babies exposed to alcohol at this time often have small brains and physical problems, and develop severe mental retardation.

Miscarriage is the major risk in the next 3 months (second trimester). In the last trimester babies exposed to alcohol often develop learning problems, mental retardation, and behavioral problems.

Not all babies whose mothers drink during pregnancy are born with FAS/FAE. It is not understood why some babies are born with problems and others are not.

What are the symptoms?
Children born with FAS or FAE have one or more of the following problems.

Birth Weight and Growth Problems
  • low birth weight (less than 5 pounds)
  • small head size
  • delayed growth
  • short height as an adult.

Face and Mouth Deformities
  • flat shape of face and nose
  • narrow eye slits
  • upper lip and mouth deformities (cleft palate).

Physical Problems
  • bone, joint, or muscle problems
  • repeated ear infections or hearing problems
  • genital defects
  • heart defects
  • kidney problems.

Intelligence and Learning Problems
  • mental retardation (IQ below 70)
  • slow learning
  • learning disabilities (especially trouble reading)
  • delays or lack of abilities in speech and language
  • being slow or unable to develop motor skills (such as learning to walk and write).
    • Behavioral Problems and Mental Illness
    • short attention span or hyperactivity (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder)
    • depression
    • psychosis (hallucinations and delusions)
    • aggressive and defiant behavior (oppositional defiant and conduct disorders)
    • drug and alcohol abuse.

    Many children with FAS/FAE have behavior problems in school. More than a third of children with FAS develop drug and alcohol problems by adolescence and the young adult years. As people with FAS/FAE get older, they have high rates of psychological problems. Many have anger control problems and may be violent. They are at high risk for getting into trouble with the law.

    How are they diagnosed?
    A health care provider can diagnose FAS/FAE by:
    • reviewing prenatal and birth history
    • giving a physical exam
    • testing abilities to understand, communicate, move, and adapt
    • measuring facial features.

    How is it treated?
    There is no cure for FAS or FAE. Certain problems caused by FAS or FAE can often be helped with treatment. For example, heart problems can often be helped by surgery. Plastic surgery can help correct severe face deformities.

    For mental retardation and learning disabilities, special education classes in school can help. All public schools in the United States offer special classes for retarded and learning disabled students between the ages of 3 and 19.

    For children and adults with behavior problems and psychological difficulties, treating the particular problem helps. For example, seeing a mental health therapist can help children and adults deal with depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, aggression, or anger.

    How long will the effects last?
    The effects of FAS/FAE last throughout life. A baby with FAS/FAE may be irritable, nervous, and very sensitive to sound and light, and may cry often. The problems change as the child grows up. Problems with aggressive behavior, depression, psychosis, and substance abuse commonly begin in the teenage years.

    What can I do to help myself or my loved one?
    FAS/FAE can only be prevented by not drinking during pregnancy or when trying to get pregnant.

    If you suspect that a baby or child has FAS/FAE, or any of the problems listed above, get professional help. Children with FAS/FAE need early diagnosis and medical treatment.

    If you know a woman who is pregnant and drinking, talk with her about stopping drinking. If she has a problem with repeated drinking, a medical or mental health professional may be able to help her quit.

    For more information, contact:
    National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
    1815 H Street, Suite 1000
    Washington, DC 20007
    Tel: (202) 785-4585
    Web site: http://www.nofas.org/




      Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

      HIA File CHL3724F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.


    Top of Page

Baptist Online
Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.
More

See Information Related to This Topic
Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist
©2010 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices.
Baptist Memorial Hospital In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care.