FETAL ALCOHOL

SYNDROME
Sara Buna

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a congenital syndrome caused
by excess consumption of alcohol by the mother during
her pregnancy. Its characterized by retardation of mental
development and of physical growth, particularly of the
skull and face of the infant.

CAUSE
Is it an autosomal dominant gene? No
Is it an autosomal recessive gene? No
Is it a sex-linked gene? No
Is it Non disjunction? No
Is it inherited in some other way? Mother consumption of Alcohol during
pregnancy
How does a healthy gene(s) differ from an afflicted gene? The healthy
gene does not differ from the afflicted gene of FAS.
Which chromosomes(s) is/are affected? Chromosome abnormalities - no
specific chromosome.

SYMPTOMS/AFFECT ON THE
BODY
Developmental: Delayed development, failure to thrive, learning
disability, low birth weight, short stature, or slow growth.
Behavior: aggression, antisocial behavior, hyperactivity, impulsivity, or
irritability.
Also common: anxiety, congenital heart disease, facial dimorphisms,
hearing loss, intellectual disability, malnutrition, poor coordination,
speech issues ,and vision disorder.

TEST AND SCREENING

Doctors can't diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome before the baby is born, but they
can assess the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy. Child's doctor can
watch for clues and symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome in the child's initial weeks,
months and years of life. To infer diagnosis of the disease, doctors examine:
The occurrence of drinking during the pregnancy
Physical appearance and distinguishing features
Physical growth and development
Brain growth and development

Doctors may also look at:

Cognitive ability and learning and language development difficulties
Health problems
Social and behavior problems

TREATMENT

Theres no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. Physical defects and mental
deficiencies persist for a lifetime. However, early intervention services can help
minimize some of the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome and prevent some of
the other disabilities that can result. Intervention services may involve:
A supportive team that requires a special education teacher, a speech
therapist, physical and occupational therapists, and a psychologist
Early interventions can help with walking, talking and social skills
Special services in school can help with learning and behavior issues
Counseling benefit parents and the family in dealing with a child's behavior
issues
Medications to help with some symptoms
Treatment of the mother's alcoholism to enable better parenting and prevent
future pregnancies from being affected

NTERESTING FACTS
The lifetime cost of treating a child with Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome is estimated to be about $860,000 totaling
nationwide to approximately $5.4 billion annually. These
costs include greater need for special education,
rehabilitation, and even incarceration.
The brain is at continuous risk because it is developing
throughout the entire pregnancy. That's why a child can
have a wide range of brain damage depending on how
much and how often the mother drinks. All damage is
permanent.
1 drink of alcohol a day while pregnant approximately is
about 30 baby bottles full of alcohol that the unborn child
consumes.

FSA

The baby is
effected by the
syndrome
causing facial
deformation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/fetal-alcohol-syndrome
http://
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/basics/c
auses/con-20021015
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/fetal+alcohol+syndrome