FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

FAS is the leading known cause of mental retardation in the United States. All races and ethnic groups are at risk. The physical and mental effects of the condition are irreversible. It is believed that the learning disabilities of many children result from maternal alcohol consumption.

Infants born with FAS may be misdiagnosed. Criteria have been developed to help professionals correctly identify these children, including:

Facial abnormalities

short eye openings
flattened middle of face
small head
thin upper lip
lack of or flattened groove
in area between nose and upper lip

Growth deficits

decreased height
decreased weight
slow brain growth
abnormal weight/height ratio

Central nervous system problems

small brain/delayed brain growth
hearing loss
impaired motor coordination
irritability/jitteriness
impaired hand-eye coordination
speech impediment
behavioral problems

Cardiac abnormalities

Skeletal abnormalities

A large number of children may possess some, but not all, of the above conditions. These children are said to have fetal alcohol effects. Although this condition may not be as severe as FAS, it is still problematic.

The financial and emotional cost of FAS is enormous. FAS children have a myriad of lifelong health issues. As infants, they may be very easily agitated and difficult to comfort. Many also manifest a poor sucking response that contributes to poor weight gain. Affected infants also have difficulty sleeping. As these children grow, their disability may become more noticeable as they begin to interact with other children. Indeed, some are not diagnosed until school performance problems indicate the need for medical intervention. Problematic behaviors may include:

learning disorders
lower-than-normal IQ
poor memory retrieval
decreased concentration
lack of fine motor skills
poor judgment
hyperactivity

developmental delays
decreased impulse control
poor comprehension
disorganization
naiveté
poor social skills
difficulty differentiating right from wrong

These children need a great deal of help in order for school to be a successful experience. They should be placed with a teacher who understands their need and is able to teach specific to their level of cognition. Behavioral problems need to be addressed consistently and with immediate consequences. As they reach adolescence, they are at risk for sexual and other types of manipulation because of their naivete, poor reasoning skills, and poor impulse control.

FAS adults may need to be placed in a residential group home with supervision. Because of their limited intellectual functioning, some type of vocational training may be indicated. Many FAS adults are able to work with supervision. Many receive Social Security assistance due to their disability, and most will need assistance in managing money. Some characteristics of adults with FAS include:

poor judgment
poor impulse control
criminal behavior
sexual promiscuity
restlessness
poor problem-solving skills

resistance to change
difficulty forming relationships
naiveté, gullibility
difficulty concentrating on tasks
poor understanding of social norms

Certain population groups in the United States have high rates of fetal alcohol births. Native Americans experience the greatest number of children afflicted with disorder, followed by African-Americans. The rates for Hispanics, Asians, and whites are similar. Other high-risk groups include young women, smokers, and women with little education.

It is imperative that all women learn of the complications of using alcohol before becoming pregnant. Because alcohol has such devastating effects on the developing fetus, avoidance is a must for a healthy baby. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the only birth defect that is 100 percent preventable.