How does FAS effect the brain?

By: Unknown

What is FAS?

• FAS stands for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome• It occurs when a woman drinks alcohol while she

is pregnant• FAS can cause both physical and mental

disabilities to a child’s brain• It is the most common way for children to be

retarded• Scientists estimate that 3 out of every 1,000

babies will be born with FAS

What causes FAS?

• Many drugs can pass through the mother’s blood stream, but alcohol is broken down slower than others

• FAS can be caused when the mother of the child is alcoholic and drinks while she is pregnant

• Other drugs may also effect the brain

Children with FAS may have…

• Low birth weight• A small head circumference• Failure to thrive• Developmental delay• Organ dysfunction• Facial abnormalities• Extra fingers• Under grown nails• Caved in chest wall• Excessive hair

Children with FAS may have… (cont.)

• Epilepsy (seizures)• Abnormalities of large vessels• Incomplete or lack of development of brain structure • Abnormal palm creases• Limited ability to move elbows and fingers• Poor coordination• Poor socialization skills• Lack of imagination or curiosity• Learning difficulties• Behavior problems

ResourcesResources

http://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/fetal-alcohttp://www.healthline.com/adamcontent/fetal-alcohol-syndrome?utm_medium=ask&utm_source=shol-syndrome?utm_medium=ask&utm_source=smart&utm_campaign=article&utm_term=Fetal+Amart&utm_campaign=article&utm_term=Fetal+Alcohol+Syndrome&ask_return=Fetal+alcohol+sylcohol+Syndrome&ask_return=Fetal+alcohol+syndromendrome

http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site890/mainhttp://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site890/mainpageS890P0.htmlpageS890P0.html

http://kidsheath.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.htmlhttp://kidsheath.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/

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