Child With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

FAS results in serious birth defects such as mental retardation, facial abnormalities, and central nervous system problems because during pregnancy the mother drinks excess of alcohol. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorders (ARND), Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS) are other syndromes which child get when pregnant women drink too much alcohol. Exact amount of alcohol which causes FAS is not known but when you drink in large amount greater the chances for defects. P. Lemoine and his colleagues described Fetal alcohol syndrome formally in 1968. It is permanent syndrome with no cure but fully preventable.

Characteristics or behaviors of child having FAS

• Less birth weight
  
• Facial abnormalities which includes small eyes, thin upper lip, or short nose etc.
  
• Smaller head or body.
  
• Abnormal joints and limbs
  
• Heart problems
  
• Mental retardation or low IQ
  
• Problems related to the central nervous system
  
• Learning, reasoning and judgment skills problems
  
• Developmental delay for language speaking, vision or hearing
  
• Poor in eye-hand coordination, socialization skills and imagination.
  
• Lack of concentration, behavioral problems, and short memory.
  
• Psychiatric problems, criminal activities, joblessness, inappropriate sexual behavior and incomplete education are
• other characteristics of child which are not from birth but may get as a result of FAS.

What is Prevention for Fetal alcohol syndrome?

1. Most simple and obvious way is during pregnancy or when you are attempting to become pregnant avoid excess of alcohol or better way is do not drink alcohol at all.
   
2. Visit or contact your doctor, local Alcoholics Anonymous or local alcohol treatment center if you are not able to stop drinking by your own.

Treatment for Fetal alcohol syndrome

It is lifelong disabilities. No treatment will cure this syndrome fully. But early diagnosis may reduce problems in life which are related to FAS. You can improve learning ability with the help of special school services. Loving and Stable Care taking Environment at home may responsible for improvement of behavioral aspect.

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