• Autism
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a condition occurring in individual whose mother consumed alcohol during her pregnancy. These disorders are caused by a mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

The condition in a child resulting from alcohol exposure during mother's pregnancy is called Fetal alcohol syndrome or FAS. The term Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was first used in 1973.

Risk Factors

The risk of FASD depends upon the following factors:

  • how much quantity alcohol was consumed during pregnancy
  • frequency of consumption
  • in which trimester of pregnancy alcohol was consumed
  • older age of the mother
  • Poor diet in pregnancy
  • Smoking

Causes

  • Alcohol crosses through the placenta to the developing baby and can interfere with normal growth and development.
  • Alcohol (Ethyl) crosses the blood–brain barrier in the fetus and thus affects the developing baby.
  • Fetal liver enzymes (ADH) are not developed and hence the fetal liver is not capable of detoxifying the alcohol and metabolizes alcohol at a slower rate.
  • The developing baby appears to be at 3 times more risk from mother drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Signs and Symptoms

The features of FASD vary between individuals exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Physical problems, intellectual disorders occur in children and features vary from individual to individual.

  1. Retarded body growth – Baby’s height or weight at or below normal. So, growth deficiency (at severe, moderate or mild level) contributes to diagnosis of FAS.
  2. Distinctive facial features – Small eyes, thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose. Thus, the face appearance of FASD children becomes quite identifiable.
  3. Small head and small brain size.
  4. Slow body growth before and after birth – The baby’s physical growth is slower in comparison to other children.
  5. Brain and nervous system – Brain structures are physically damaged. Brain development is late and delayed with impairments.

    Diagnosis

    Diagnosis is by taking proper medical history of the pregnant mother. History of consuming alcohol beverages during pregnancy is confirmatory of the disorder. Doctors cannot diagnose the FASD before the baby is born. Studies on FASD have concluded that such children have a shorter life-span.

  • Discussing drinking alcohol during pregnancy with the Doctor:
    • Proper medical history of the mother should be noted by the examining doctor.

    Specific points like amount of alcohol, type of alcohol consumed and timing (exact trimester) can determine the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome to the child.

  • Observe and watch for symptoms in early, initial weeks, months of child’s life:
    • The care-givers should watch for alarming signs like small head size, small body size, distinctive face, etc. A working knowledge of the key features is helpful in understanding and arriving at FASD.

Treatment

Upto now, there is no complete cure or specific treatment for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The physical defects persist for the entire life of the individual.

Early intervention could help in reducing the severity of symptoms and progress of the disease is halted. Secondary disabilities like disrupted school experience of the child can be reduced to a greater extent. Counseling to parents and making them understand the child’s symptoms are useful.

  1. Recognize child's strengths and limitations
  2. Help the child and make him capable of addressing behavioral issues
  3. Anti-convulsion medicines for seizures, etc.
  4. Proper medications to take care of symptoms
  5. Occupational therapist, speech therapy are needed
  6. Training towards walking, social skills, talking are useful
  7. Joining support group for the mother