1 Fetal Alcohol syndrome Created By: Amber Winningham & Brittney Wynter

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Fetal Alcohol Fetal Alcohol syndrome syndrome

Created By: Amber Winningham & Brittney Wynter

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What is FAS?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.

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Causes

Using or abusing alcohol during pregnancy can cause the same risks as using alcohol in general. However, it poses extra risks to the unborn baby. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it easily passes across the placenta to the fetus. Because of this, drinking alcohol can harm the baby's development.

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A pregnant woman who drinks any amount of alcohol is at risk for having a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. No "safe" level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been established. Larger amounts of alcohol appear to increase the problems. Binge drinking is more harmful than drinking small amounts of alcohol.

Timing of alcohol use during pregnancy is also important. Alcohol use appears to be the most harmful during the first 3 months of pregnancy; however, drinking alcohol any time during pregnancy can be harmful.

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 ”It's estimated that each year in the United States, 1 in every 750 infants is born with a pattern of physical, developmental, and functional problems referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), while another 40,000 are born with fetal alcohol effects (FAE).”

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Complications

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy may result in:

Miscarriage or stillbirth Premature delivery Complications seen in the infant may include: Abnormal heart structure Behavior problems Infant death Mental retardation Problems in the structure of the head, eyes, nose,

or mouth Poor growth before birth Slow growth and poor coordination after birth

Symptoms and Signs

•low birth weight•facial abnormalities, including smaller eye openings, flattened cheekbones, and indistinct philtrum (an underdeveloped groove between the nose and the upper lip)•poor coordination/fine motor skills•learning difficulties, including poor memory, inability to understand concepts such as time and money, poor language comprehension, poor problem-solving skills.•behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal, stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety

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More Symptoms Narrow, small eyes

with large epicanthal folds

Small head Small upper jaw Smooth groove in

upper lip Smooth and thin

upper lip

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How to Test for FAS A physical exam of the baby may show

a heart murmur or other heart problems. As the baby grows, there may be signs of delayed mental development. There also may be problems with the face and bones.

Blood alcohol level in pregnant women who show signs of being drunk (intoxicated)

CT or MRI after the child is born.

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•Blood alcohol level in pregnant women who show signs of being drunk (intoxicated)•CT or MRI after the child is born.

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Prevention Avoiding alcohol during

pregnancy prevents fetal alcohol syndrome. Counseling can help women who have already had a child with fetal alcohol syndrome.

Sexually active women who drink heavily should use birth control and control their drinking behaviors, or stop using alcohol before trying to get pregnant.

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Treatment Women who are

pregnant or who are trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking any amount of alcohol. Pregnant women with alcoholism should join an alcohol abuse rehabilitation program and be checked closely by a health care provider throughout pregnancy.

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Video Clip

http://youtu.be/o-xGBjpGLdI

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Support Groups National Council on

Alcoholism and Drug Dependency -- www.ncadd.org

National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Referral Routing Service -- 1-800-662-4357