FREE ESSAY ON FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROM

FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROM

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
In one week 10,000 babies are born in Canada. Twenty are born with Fetal Alcohol syndrome
(FAS). One hundred with other alcohol related birth defects. FAS is most often described
as the leading cause of mental retardation. FAS is not genetic or inherited and is %100
preventable.
Fetal Alcohol syndrome refers to a constellation of physical and mental birth defects
that may develop in individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. It is an
organic disease that is characterized by central nervous system involvement, growth
retardation, and characteristic facial features. Prenatal alcohol exposure also causes
malformation of major organs including heart, kidneys, and liver. Fetal Alcohol Effect is
very similar to FAS, with the same range of neurological problem but with out the
characteristic facial features. FAE occurs two to three times more frequently the FAS.
Characteristics of children with FAS include:
Text Book Characteristics Justin 
Low birth weight 5lbs 6 ounce full term
Small head circumference Undetermined
Failure to thrive Small for age
Developmental delay Delay in gross motor and speech
Organ dysfunction So signs of organ dysfunction
Epilepsy No signs of epilepsy
Poor coordination/fine motor skills Delay in gross motor and speech
Poor socialization skills, such as difficulty building and maintaining friendships and
relating to groups Despite poor communication skills Justin was very sociable and
affectionate with Joanne and myself.
Lack of imagination or curiosity Very curios of new toys.
Learning difficulties, including poor memory, and inability to understand concepts such
as time and money Unable to determine at 10 months of age.
Facial abnormalities, including smaller eye openings, flattened cheekbones, and
indistinct philtrum. Smaller eye openings noted
Behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social
withdrawal, stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety. Arching of back noted when upset.
Poor language comprehension, poor problem-solving skill Unable to determine at 10 months
of age
Alcohol is a teratogen, meaning that it is a substance that can damage and disrupt the
developing embryo or fetus. The brain and the central nervous system of the unborn child
are particularly vulnerable to prenatal alcohol exposure. Alcohol is lipid soluble like
most other drugs and passes freely across the placental barrier and into the fetal
bloodstream. In the fetus, the alcohol must be metabolized by the immature and poorly
developed liver of the fetus. The alcohol stays in the fetus's body for a prolonged time
even after leaving the mother's body. The unborn child remains intoxicated, possibly
suffering withdrawal symptoms after the alcohol is no longer present.
Bibliography
References
Paul Szabo, M.P. March 2000, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, The Real Brain Drain. Ministry of
Health, Ottawa, Ontario 
Adele Pilliteri PhD, RN, PND, (1995). Maternal and Child Health Nursing. 2nd Ed, JB
Lippincott Company Philadelphia.
Porth, C.M. (1998) Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. (5th ed). New
York: Lippincot.