Each year, every one in seven hundred and fifty infants is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is an inherited syndrome that results from the mother consuming too much alcohol during pregnancy. There are many issues that result from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which include a smaller head size and behavioral problems. There are also significant stories from people living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome that explain how this syndrome effects their everyday lives.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading known preventable cause of developmental and physical birth defects. If a mother drinks alcohol during her pregnancy her fetus is at risk of mental and physical deformations (WebMD, 2000). As previously stated, each year it is estimated that one in every 750 infants is born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The characteristics of FAS are: low birth weight, small head circumference, failure to thrive, developmental delay, poor large and small motor skills, behavioral problems (Kids Health, 2016) and the list goes on. Children with fetal alcohol effects have similar symptoms, but to a lesser degree. Alcohol is a toxin and when consumed by the Mother during her pregnancy is passed through her blood stream to her unborn baby via the placenta. It can damage the growth of the baby’s cells, brain and spinal cord cells. There is not sufficient evidence on how much or how little alcohol an expectant mother can drink before it affects the fetus. Therefore, physicians suggest to quit drinking while you are pregnant. The effects alcohol has on a fetus have been studied since the mid eighteen hundreds. During the colonial era alcohol consumption was four times higher than today. Along with the higher consumption of alcohol, being inebriated was an everyday occurrence in some societies, years ago. During the colonial era, alcohol was called “The Good Creature of God”, and two centuries later was renamed “demon rum”. The first recorded anti-drinking campaign occurred in 1830s-1850s when disease and poverty was blamed on the consumption of alcohol. In the 1880s-1910 the disintegration of family, mental illness and a rise in crime were directly correlated to saloons where people gathered. In present day, anti-alcohol and drug campaigns such as MAAD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) are trying to educate people on the effects of alcohol on society, such as the violence in the inner cities and the breakdown of families and morality. A new wave of morality was named America’s “New Temperance”. With the “New Temperance” child abuse and “battered child syndrome” were mentioned in medical literature for the first time in 1962 (Armstrong, 2000). There was more research done in the 1970s that also included …show more content…
FAS appears to be the on the severe end of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder spectrum. Death of the fetus from drinking during pregnancy is the worst case scenario. People with FAS could have growth issues, central nervous system problems, learning disorders, trouble with their communication skills and problems with vision and hearing. People with FAS often times have trouble in school and getting along with their peers. Fetal Alcohol Effects have very similar effects to FAS but not as debilitating. ARND or Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder is also in the FAS spectrum. People with ARND have poor judgement, difficulty in math, do poorly in school, and have impulse control issues. Alcohol-Related Birth Defects or ARBD, people diagnosed with this condition have a mix of problems related to hearing, kidney function, heart failure, and problems with their bones. All of these are a result of the consumption of alcohol while pregnant, but the varying effects can led to different issues and treatment …show more content…
Which makes for a more peaceful environment. People living with fetal alcohol syndrome often complain of headaches when they change their diet and add supplement it has been reported the headaches were reduced by half. Along with nutrition, a solid therapy team will help guide parents and educators thru the maze of fetal alcohol syndrome. Therapy helps build a frame work to help individuals with FAS whether it is to provide homework targeting issues, direct negative emotions or to help with impulse behavior, anger and frustration. Therapy empowers people living with FAS to work through their fear hurt and
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the leading known preventable cause of developmental and physical birth defects. If a mother drinks alcohol during her pregnancy her fetus is at risk of mental and physical deformations (WebMD, 2000). As previously stated, each year it is estimated that one in every 750 infants is born with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The characteristics of FAS are: low birth weight, small head circumference, failure to thrive, developmental delay, poor large and small motor skills, behavioral problems (Kids Health, 2016) and the list goes on. Children with fetal alcohol effects have similar symptoms, but to a lesser degree. Alcohol is a toxin and when consumed by the Mother during her pregnancy is passed through her blood stream to her unborn baby via the placenta. It can damage the growth of the baby’s cells, brain and spinal cord cells. There is not sufficient evidence on how much or how little alcohol an expectant mother can drink before it affects the fetus. Therefore, physicians suggest to quit drinking while you are pregnant. The effects alcohol has on a fetus have been studied since the mid eighteen hundreds. During the colonial era alcohol consumption was four times higher than today. Along with the higher consumption of alcohol, being inebriated was an everyday occurrence in some societies, years ago. During the colonial era, alcohol was called “The Good Creature of God”, and two centuries later was renamed “demon rum”. The first recorded anti-drinking campaign occurred in 1830s-1850s when disease and poverty was blamed on the consumption of alcohol. In the 1880s-1910 the disintegration of family, mental illness and a rise in crime were directly correlated to saloons where people gathered. In present day, anti-alcohol and drug campaigns such as MAAD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) are trying to educate people on the effects of alcohol on society, such as the violence in the inner cities and the breakdown of families and morality. A new wave of morality was named America’s “New Temperance”. With the “New Temperance” child abuse and “battered child syndrome” were mentioned in medical literature for the first time in 1962 (Armstrong, 2000). There was more research done in the 1970s that also included …show more content…
FAS appears to be the on the severe end of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder spectrum. Death of the fetus from drinking during pregnancy is the worst case scenario. People with FAS could have growth issues, central nervous system problems, learning disorders, trouble with their communication skills and problems with vision and hearing. People with FAS often times have trouble in school and getting along with their peers. Fetal Alcohol Effects have very similar effects to FAS but not as debilitating. ARND or Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder is also in the FAS spectrum. People with ARND have poor judgement, difficulty in math, do poorly in school, and have impulse control issues. Alcohol-Related Birth Defects or ARBD, people diagnosed with this condition have a mix of problems related to hearing, kidney function, heart failure, and problems with their bones. All of these are a result of the consumption of alcohol while pregnant, but the varying effects can led to different issues and treatment …show more content…
Which makes for a more peaceful environment. People living with fetal alcohol syndrome often complain of headaches when they change their diet and add supplement it has been reported the headaches were reduced by half. Along with nutrition, a solid therapy team will help guide parents and educators thru the maze of fetal alcohol syndrome. Therapy helps build a frame work to help individuals with FAS whether it is to provide homework targeting issues, direct negative emotions or to help with impulse behavior, anger and frustration. Therapy empowers people living with FAS to work through their fear hurt and