FASD is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, which is the leading preventable cause of congenital conditions in the United States. There are currently five types of FASD, including FAS, diagnosed by prenatal alcohol exposure, craniofacial dysmorphology, growth impairment, and neurodevelopmental celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome problems. FAS is characterized by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), craniofacial (head and face) differences, neurodevelopmental abnormalities (including behavioral issues), and growth impairment. Unfortunately, up to 5% of first graders in the United States have FASD.

Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• If a person drinks excessively, their sperm can change, and these changes may lead to potential health complications after a pregnancy.
• If you’re currently pregnant and drinking alcohol, stop immediately to try to lower the risk of FAS.
• Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.
• The FDA has designated specific drugs for treating the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol in babies.

The findings are of public health significance, since it’s estimated that more than 1 million babies born annually in the United States have been exposed to at least one of these things in utero. In addition to the acute effects of withdrawal, babies often suffer the teratogenic (causing physical abnormalities) effects of alcohol. Specific deformities of the head and face, heart defects, and intellectual disability are seen with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). As children with FAS get older, they might develop behavioral problems, have problems learning and retaining information, or struggle with attention and hyperactivity, all of which may worsen as they mature. Fetal alcohol syndrome can also cause milestone (developmental) delays. The most effective treatments for fetal alcohol syndrome target your child’s specific issues.

• It’s also important to get help for a parent or caregiver who struggles with alcohol addiction.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome happens when a person drinks any alcohol during pregnancy, including wine, beer, hard ciders and “hard liquor”.
• Kids will have lifelong physical, learning, and behavioral problems.
• Behavioral issues from FASDs may vary widely from one individual to another, says Paul Linde, MD, psychiatrist and medical director of psychiatry and collaborative care at Ria Health.
• Fetal alcohol syndrome is the result of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Preventing and treating disabilities

FASDs can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth. Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the umbilical cord. Unfortunately, people with FAS are more likely to experience legal troubles, have secondary mental health diagnoses, and have higher rates of suicide.

What are treatments for FASDs?

Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. Don’t start an alcohol elimination program without telling your healthcare provider. They may be able to direct you to further options for achieving your goals and provide the medical care that may be necessary to withdraw from alcohol. Lifelong treatment is required and is more effective if collaborative care coordination occurs between all professional agencies. The families of people with FAS should also be included in treatment interventions.

• Adults with FAS may require additional support and services to help them manage symptoms.
• In children with milder problems, FASD can be harder to diagnose.
• Siblings of an infant diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome should be examined for subtle manifestations of the disorder.
• Diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome involves an exam from a healthcare professional with expertise in the condition.
• Most often, FAS is diagnosed based on the mother’s history and the appearance of your baby, based on a physician examination by a physician.
• A child with FAS will not necessarily have all of these symptoms.

There’s no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy, and there’s no type of alcohol that is safe. A doctor may refer a person for a neuropsychological assessment. This may consist of various tests to assess symptoms, such as cognitive function, attention, and memory. Secondary conditions can develop as a result of a person having a FASD.