Fetal alcohol syndrome and what you should know

It is a syndrome that causes brain damage and fetal growth due to maternal alcohol exposure during pregnancy. The problems caused by Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are different for every baby, but the defects have one thing in common: they are irreversible. A single drop of alcohol a mother drinks can have a big impact on her baby's future. Read on to learn about the harmful effects of alcohol on your unborn baby.

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• 1. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
• 2. How does alcohol affect the fetus?
• 3. Is there a safe limit for pregnant women to drink alcohol?
• 4. Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• 5. How is the diagnosis?
• 6. What are the outcomes for babies with fetal alcohol syndrome?
• 7. Treatment of children with fetal alcohol syndrome
• 8. Parents of children with fetal alcohol syndrome also need support

1. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of five disorders that fall within the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. All of these disorders serve to classify the effects of alcohol on the fetus. Covers a wide range of issues related to physical and neurological development.

In the United States, for every 1,000 babies born, 6-9 children have this syndrome. This rate is even higher among low-income or ethnic minority populations.

2. How does alcohol affect the fetus?

The exact mechanism by which alcohol causes birth defects is still a mystery. For ethical reasons we cannot study the effects of alcohol on the brain of the unborn baby.

Mostly, from animal studies, we know that alcohol is a teratogen. And its effects on the most advanced nervous system are irreversible.

The extent of the effects is very wide, alcohol not only reduces brain volume but also damages brain structures.

Alcohol exposure during the first trimester increases the risk of facial and brain malformations. Heavy drinking during the second trimester is associated with an increased rate of spontaneous abortion. Finally, in the third trimester, high levels of alcohol consumption decrease height, weight, and brain volume.

>> See more: Pregnancy notes that everyone must memorize

3. Is there a safe limit for pregnant women to drink alcohol?

Alcohol is a common teratogen. Alcohol easily crosses the placenta, thereby affecting the brain and other organs of the baby. Its influence is very broad and irreversible.

Increased exposure to alcohol increases the incidence and severity of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. To date, there are no studies to prove the maximum amount of alcohol that is safe for the fetus.

It is also not determined at what time during pregnancy the fetus is safe. Pregnant for 9 months and 10 days, the day the mother drinks alcohol, the risk for the baby begins to be calculated from that date. Alcohol exposure during the first trimester – perhaps before the mother knows she is pregnant – can cause severe birth defects.

Later in pregnancy, drinking alcohol increases the rate of miscarriage, fetal growth retardation, and brain abnormalities. It makes the baby prone to dangerous problems at birth such as respiratory failure, circulatory failure... Or when he grows up, he may have difficulty controlling behavior, reducing his ability to study.

These problems can be prevented by not drinking any alcohol during pregnancy. Do not drink if you are trying to get pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

There is no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Any amount of alcohol can harm a developing fetus and increase the risk of miscarriage.

>> See more: Nutrition during pregnancy how to be reasonable?

4. Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The severity of fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms is different for each baby. Symptoms don't just appear while the baby is in the womb. The effects of alcohol still have consequences when the baby grows up, making it more difficult for him to study and play everyday.

The main symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome are classified into three groups below:

5. How is the diagnosis?

Each disorder of the fetal alcohol spectrum has specific diagnostic criteria. To diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome, the following criteria must be met:

• There are two thirds of characteristic facial abnormalities: short slit length, thin upper lip, loss/fading of the nuclei.

• Developmental delay before and/or after birth

• Central nervous system defect

>> See more: What should be avoided during pregnancy?

In addition, testimony about the mother's drinking history further supported the diagnosis. However, if it is not exploited, and the baby has all of the above characteristics, fetal alcohol syndrome is still identified.

Characteristic face of fetal alcohol syndrome: short age-appropriate slit length, blurred/missing median sulcus; thin upper lip. Source: Susan Astley, PhD. © 2015, Susan Astley PhD, University of Washington

6. What are the outcomes for babies with fetal alcohol syndrome?

Behavior problems aren't present at birth, but as your baby gets older, they start to show up. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are at increased risk for the following mental disorders:

• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, inability to concentrate to study.

• Aggressive, intrusive, breaking social norms, behaving inappropriately.

• Abuse of alcohol or drugs

• Depressive disorder, anxiety disorder or eating disorder

• Inappropriate sexual behavior

• Traffic accident, murder or suicide

7. Treatment of children with fetal alcohol syndrome

The physical defects caused by prenatal alcohol exposure are permanent, not curable. However, medical care can help reduce some of the effects of this syndrome. It also prevents complications.

Your baby may need the right care team including: a psychologist, speech therapist, physical and occupational therapist. Early intervention can help your baby:

• Walk, talk and develop social skills

• Address learning and behavioral problems

• Your baby may need to take certain medications to relieve symptoms. You will then need to find a pediatric psychiatrist for your baby.

• Address alcohol and other substance use, if applicable

• Vocational training and life skills training

8. Parents of children with fetal alcohol syndrome also need support

For parents, the difficulties in raising and taking care of their children from birth are huge. Not to mention a baby with a disorder caused by alcohol exposure in the womb. Surely those obstacles will be many times greater. Therefore, they also need support, advice and guidance on how to take care of children.

First, the mother's alcohol use should be addressed. This allows mothers to be better able to raise their children and prevents the next pregnancy from being affected by alcohol. Psychiatrists and psychologists can help, if needed.

In dealing with the behavioral problems associated with this syndrome, a number of skills may be helpful:

• Recognize your child's strengths and limitations

• Implement daily routines

• Create good habits for your baby

• Set and enforce simple rules.

• Repeat several times to reinforce learning

• Show your child what behaviors are acceptable. Use rewards to reinforce this behavior.

• Teach children daily living skills and social interaction

• Protect your child from physical or emotional abuse. Because so many babies with fetal alcohol syndrome are at risk of abuse.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by irreversible defects in the brain and facial shape caused by the baby's alcohol exposure while in the womb. Preventing alcohol use during reproductive age is the best way to prevent this syndrome.

Doctor Dao Thi Thu Huong