Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have a high risk of psychiatric problems, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, or both. Often children with FASD are initially diagnosed with ADHD. A new study is the first to examine a range of cognitive factors and social behavior in children with FASD and ADHD, finding that those with FASD have significantly weaker social cognition and facial emotion-processing abilities.
Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.
Alternative NamesAlcohol in pregnancy; Drinking alcohol during pregnancy; Alcohol-related birth defects; Fetal alcohol effects
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsUsing or abusing alcohol during pregnancy can cause the same risks as using alcohol in general. However, it poses extra risks to the fetus. 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.
A pregnant woman who drinks any amount of alcohol is at risk, since no "safe" level of alcohol use during pregnancy has been established. However, larger amounts 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 anytime during pregnancy can be harmful.
SymptomsA baby with fetal alcohol syndrome may have the following symptoms:
A physical exam of the baby may reveal a heart murmur or other heart problems. As the baby grows, there may be signs of delayed mental development. There also may be structural problems of the face and skeleton.
Tests include:
See also: Toxicology screen
TreatmentWomen 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.
Support GroupsThe following organizations may offer assistance:
See also: Alcoholism - support group
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome for infants with fetal alcohol syndrome varies depending on the extent of symptoms, but almost none have normal brain development.
Infants and children with fetal alcohol syndrome have many different problems, which can be difficult to manage. Children do best if diagnosed early and referred to a team of providers who can work with their families on educational and behavioral strategies that best fit the individual child's needs.
ComplicationsDrinking alcohol during pregnancy may result in:
Complications seen in the infant may include:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are drinking alcohol regularly or heavily, and are finding it difficult to cut back or stop. Also, call if you are drinking alcohol in any amount while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
PreventionAvoiding alcohol during pregnancy prevents fetal alcohol syndrome. Counseling can help prevent recurrence in 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 conceive.
ReferencesStoll BJ. Metabolic disturbances. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 106.
Bertrand J, Floyd LL, Weber MK. Guidelines for identifying and referring persons with fetal alcohol syndrome. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005 Oct 28;54(RR-11):1-14.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy.
See also: Alcohol and pregnancy
Alternative NamesAlcohol in pregnancy; Drinking alcohol during pregnancy; Alcohol-related birth defects; Fetal alcohol effects; FAS
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsUsing 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.
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.
SymptomsA baby with fetal alcohol syndrome may have the following symptoms:
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.
Tests include:
See also: Toxicology screen
TreatmentWomen 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.
Support GroupsThe following organizations may offer assistance:
See also: Alcoholism - support group
Expectations (prognosis)The outcome for infants with fetal alcohol syndrome varies. Almost none of these babies have normal brain development.
Infants and children with fetal alcohol syndrome have many different problems, which can be difficult to manage. Children do best if they are diagnosed early and referred to a team of health care providers who can work on educational and behavioral strategies that fit the child's needs.
ComplicationsDrinking alcohol during pregnancy may result in:
Complications seen in the infant may include:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are drinking alcohol regularly or heavily, and are finding it difficult to cut back or stop. Also, call if you are drinking alcohol in any amount while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
PreventionAvoiding 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.
See also: Alcohol and pregnancy
ReferencesCarlo WA. Fetal alcohol syndrome. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 100.2.
Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al. Teratology and medications that affect the fetus. In: Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, et al, eds. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2010:chap 14.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 08/15/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. 8/8/09
its when the woman gets drunk and kills herself
When alcohol crosses the placental barrier, it can reach the developing fetus and cause a range of problems known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These disorders can result in lifelong physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments for the child. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is strongly discouraged to prevent these adverse effects on the baby's development.
Fetal Lung
egg sperm and fetal egg sperm and fetal
Category A:.no fetal risk. Category B: Animal studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies.Category C: No adequate human or animal studies.Category D:.fetal risk,but benefits outweigh risks. Category X:.fetal risk. Risks outweigh.benefits.
Great English writer Shakespeare said about alcohol that " It provokes the desire but takes away the performance" and same seems to be true with smoking as it stimulates the Nicotinic receptors present in ganglion of autonomic nervous system stimulates both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems by stimulating ganglion. ( Once Mark twain said " Quitting smoking is very easy. I have done it 1000 times.) ( Probably addiction to both alcohol and smoking is managed by genes of each. ) In short, there is no dramatic effect on the male reproductive system of both of them but beware of those "Drugs". You never "TRY' them as you may get addiction from the very first dose.
fetal alcohol effect is not as severe
Fetal alcohol syndrome affects one in 600 children in the United States.
no fetal alcohol syndrome is a disease in which a mother to be abuses alcohol which usually and most often results in various deformations of the fetus/infant.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
It is much less serious.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by the mother being an alcoholic and drinking while she is pregnant. It is not a disease that can be passed on to anyone.
Uh... no. Autism is a development disorder while fetal alcohol syndrome is caused when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol and ruins her child
fetal alcohol syndrome
No, but consuming alcohol during pregnancy can lead to impaired mental development in a condition called Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Yes it can. Alcohol also contributes to anxiety.
Even drinking a few drinks during pregnancy can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.Fetal Alcohol Syndrome causes infants to suffer physical impairments.