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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

(Alcohol in Pregnancy; Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy; FAS)

Definition

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) belongs to a group of disorders called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. It is caused when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The alcohol can cause birth and developmental defects in the baby. These defects make up FAS.

Causes

Alcohol can cross from the mother's blood to the baby's blood. It is passed through the placenta. Even a small amount of alcohol can damage the fetus. Doctors do not know how much alcohol it takes to cause defects. The risk increases with moderate to heavy drinking and with binging. But even social drinking may pose a danger.
Any type of alcohol can cause birth defects.
Blood Traveling Through Mother's Placenta to Baby
baby fetus placenta
Alcohol travels through this path and affects the baby's development, particularly the heart and brain.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your baby's chance of getting FAS:
  • Unplanned pregnancy
  • Failure to recognize early pregnancy and continuing to drink
  • Alcoholism
  • Lack of knowledge about the risks of drinking while pregnant
  • Advanced maternal age
  • Low socioeconomic status

Symptoms

Birth and developmental defects depend on when the fetus was exposed to alcohol.
Babies with FAS may have the following physical symptoms:
  • Low birth weight
  • Small size and delayed growth
  • Small head
  • Small eyes
  • Short, flat nose
  • Flat cheeks
  • Small jaws
  • Unusually shaped ears
  • Thin upper lip
  • Shaking or tremors
  • Sight and hearing problems
  • Heart defects
  • Small, abnormally formed brain
  • Minor joint defects that may restrict movement
  • Teeth prone to cavities
  • Vision problems
  • Ear infections
As the infant grows, other symptoms may develop, including:
Children do not outgrow these effects. Teens and adults often experience social and emotional problems. They may develop secondary conditions, which include:
  • Problems at school
  • Inability to hold a job
  • Trouble living independently
  • Mental health problems
  • Alcohol or drug dependence
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Difficulty controlling anger
  • Legal problems

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask you about your alcohol intake while pregnant. The child's growth will be assessed. A physical exam will be done. The diagnosis is based on:
  • History of alcohol use
  • Characteristic facial appearance
  • Slow growth
  • Nervous system problems
Some children with this condition do not have the typical physical features. Their condition is described:
  • Fetal alcohol effect
  • Alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder
An early diagnosis can help your child get the proper services.

Treatment

There is no specific medical treatment for this condition. Early intervention is helpful, as well as a supportive, nurturing home. The doctor may recommend hearing and vision testing, as well as testing for any other medical problems related to FAS.

Social Services

Professional support helps a family cope with caring for a child with birth defects. Services include respite care and parent training. You can learn ways to handle behavior problems and stress management techniques.

Special Education

Programs designed to meet your child's needs improve learning. For example, messages may need to be repeated. Tasks may need to be broken down into smaller steps.

Supportive Environment

  • Provide consistent direction and structure.
  • Keep to routines.
  • Establish simple rules, limits, and consequences.
  • Praise desired behaviors.
  • Do not threaten. Violence or abuse increases the risk the child will learn to react in a similar fashion. Your child may need special training to learn ways to handle anger.

Prevention

Efforts to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome are important.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. Also, take folic acid to prevent other birth defects.
  • Avoid heavy drinking when not using birth control. Damage can occur before you even know you are pregnant.
  • Seek help from a doctor if you cannot stop drinking.
  • Use birth control until you are able to quit drinking.

RESOURCES

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome http://www.nofas.org/

Pregnancy.org http://www.pregnancy.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Alcoholics Anonymous (Canada) http://www.aacanada.com/

Women's Health Matters http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/

References

Chaudhuri JD. Alcohol and the developing fetus—a review. Med Sci Monit . 2000;6:1031-1041.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy. March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/ . Updated January 2005. Accessed June 18, 2008.

Drinking and your pregnancy. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism website. Available at: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/DrinkingPregnancy%5FHTML/pregnancy.htm . Accessed June 18, 2008.

Fetal alcohol syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated June 28, 2010. Accessed October 11, 2011.

Nayak RB, Murthy P. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Indian Pediatr. 2008;45(12):977-983.

Treating individuals affected with FASD. National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome website. Available at: http://www.nofas.org/healthcare/treatment.aspx .

Prenatal exposure to alcohol [review]. Alcohol Res Health . 2000;24:32-41.

Thackray H, Tifft C. Fetal alcohol syndrome. Pediatr Rev . 2001;22:47-55.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: Rimas Lukas, MD
  • Review Date: 09/2012 -
  • Update Date: 00/91/2012 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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