What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
It is very important that pregnant women do what they can to keep their developing babies safe. While the growing fetus is relatively safe in the womb, the baby is still at some risk from harm. There are a number of ways an unborn child can be harmed, and one of them is if the mother consumes alcohol while pregnant
The best possible way for pregnant women to ensure their baby has no alcohol related problems when they are born is to completely abstain from alcohol. In addition, pregnant women should also keep clear of other potentially harmful substances, such as tobacco.
1. Alcohol And Fetuses
The placenta acts as a direct connection between mother and baby, and it is through the placenta that the growing fetus will receive its nutrition. The placenta also helps to filter out most toxins, helping to keep the baby safe. It doesn’t filter out all toxins, however, and one such toxin is alcohol.
If the mother drinks alcohol, then it will be passed on to the baby, and here it can do a great deal of harm. Bearing in mind also that the baby will not have a fully functioning liver so the alcohol will take longer to break down. In addition, consuming excess alcohol can lead to the mother not passing on sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
2. Development Problems
The damage caused to children by fetal alcohol syndrome can cause them to experience a number of developmental issues. For example, they can experience deformities of their limbs, joints, and fingers. They will also sometimes have a smaller head circumference than most other children, and their brains will also tend to be smaller.
These development issues can also affect their ears and eyes, leading to problems with their hearing and their vision. The severity of their conditions can vary considerably from patient to patient, with the symptoms being barely noticeable in some children.
3. Heart Defects
If a fetus does not develop as they should then it can lead to defects of their heart. These defects can sometimes be dangerous and require immediate surgery, whereas others are less severe but can still have an impact on the patient’s quality of life.
Some patients will also go on to develop problems with their bones, leading to complications well into their adult lives. In addition, some will have problems with their kidneys, which could also cause a number of issues. Patients with fetal alcohol syndrome will often have to make certain lifestyle sacrifices in order to keep themselves well.
4. Intellect
Alcohol can cause damage to a developing fetus’s brain, and this can result in a number of other unwelcome symptoms. One of these symptoms is that the patient will suffer intellectually in their early years and during their adult life. Children with the condition will often have learning difficulties and will be behind other children in class.
Many will need to go to specialized schools to get tutoring that is suitable for them. The patient will also have difficulty focusing on tasks and it can be difficult for them to process information they are given. It is also not uncommon for patients with fetal alcohol syndrome to have a poor memory.
5. Poor Coordination
Moving our bodies is an incredibly complex process that takes years of practice before we are even able to walk unaided. Just to be able to stand, our body needs to be making countless adjustments to keep us upright. This takes an incredible number of calculations, and this requires an organ as powerful as the brain.
If there was something wrong with the brain, however, then even moving can become a lot harder. Patients with fetal alcohol syndrome will often have poor coordination and balance. It can hinder their ability to take part in physical activities, while it can also affect them in everyday life.
6. Behavioral Issues
Children can sometimes find it difficult to know what to do in certain social situations, but they will generally learn as they get older. Those with fetal alcohol syndrome, however, can find it a lot harder than other children do. Many will have a great deal of difficulty in social situations, and they can experience a lot of behavioral issues.
Patients with the condition will also often be hyperactive and can find it difficult to be calm. Some will also find that their moods can change without warning and for no apparent reason. This can cause problems for children when they are at school and in other scenarios when they are around other people.
7. Poor Judgement
Children generally need guidance from adults because they are prone to making decisions that are not beneficial to them or others. As they get older, however, they tend to get more responsible, but this is harder for some than others. Those with fetal alcohol syndrome will tend to have particularly poor judgment, and this can remain when they reach adulthood.
Patients with the condition can find it difficult to recognize potential consequences of their actions. They can also have considerable difficulty in solving problems and day to day reasoning. These symptoms can end up causing a lot of trouble for the patient as they get older.
8. Trouble Making Friends
Human beings are a sociable species and it is important that we have friends and family to spend time with. This starts at a young age, and children will begin learning social skills as soon as they start to interact with other children. This can be quite difficult for some, however.
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome will often struggle to learn how to socialize with other people. They can find it difficult to strike up relationships with other children and will generally not find themselves accepted into social groups. This can cause further problems for them in school and as adults.
9. Difficulty Planning
It is quite common that we will need to make plans. This will often mean simple things such as getting ourselves ready for school or work, but even this can be difficult for people with fetal alcohol syndrome. They can find it difficult to know what needs to be done, and they can have difficulty following plans through.
Another thing that makes it difficult for them is that they tend to have a poor concept of time. Time can fly by without the patient realizing, potentially leaving them late. This can cause problems for the patient later in life if they have responsibilities like jobs to go to.
10. Prevention
There is only one way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, and that is for pregnant women to completely avoid alcohol. While it is true that the child is more likely to be injured if the mother is a heavy drinker, the fetus is still at risk even if the mother drinks only a small amount.
If a pregnant woman has been drinking a lot during pregnancy, it is best that she let a medical professional know as soon as possible. The sooner the mother and/or patient receive treatment, the better it will be for the child as treatment can begin to limit their symptoms.
