Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol is the leading known preventable cause of mental and physical birth defects in Canada Fetal alcohol syndrome or FAS is a disorder of permanent birth defects that occurs in the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. It is unknown whether amount, frequency or timing of alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes a difference in amount of damage done to the fetus. Thus, the current recommendation is not to drink at all during pregnancy.

Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and can stunt fetal growth or weight, create distinctive facial stigmata, damage neurons and brain structures, and cause other physical, mental, or behavioural problems. The part most affected seams to be the brain when cells are not properly formed thus causing massive neurological problems for the developing child. Fetal Alcohol Syndromeis the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western world. In the United States alone, the FAS prevalence rate is estimated to be between 0.2 and 2.0 cases per 1,000 live births, comparable to or higher than other developmental disabilities such as Down syndrome or Spina Bifida.

When it comes to treatment it is given according the effect and damage done and there is not cure to neurological damage received. Most other physical deformities are also not treatable. For children with FAS mental problems are common and thus usually require psychiatric help. Mental symptoms may include mood swings, anger, irrational behavior, uncooperative tendencies, retardation and many other mental problems.

During pregnancy alcohol can cause damage from conception until childbirth. 45% of FAS cases occur when the mother didn't realize she was pregnant. So it is highly recommended to persons trying to become pregnant to drink alcohol. FAS is a 100% preventable syndrome that is the leading cause of mental retardation and birth defects in Canada and the United States and is the easiest to prevent. All that is required to stop this irreversible damage is to not drink. People need to realize that no amount of alcohol is safe and at no time is it to drink when pregnant and that it is not worth the risk.