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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term
for the wide range of mental and physical effects that are present at a child’s birth as a result of the
birth mother’s drinking while she was pregnant. Alcohol affects the child by passing through the placenta to
the fetus. Each fetus and each pregnant woman shows a varied response to alcohol. Exposure to alcohol by
a developing fetus can affect a child for his or her lifetime.
No amount of alcohol is safe.
The impairments to the child with FASD are due to structural changes in the brain caused
by alcohol. These can be a smaller brain size, an absent or poorly developed corpus callosum, basal ganglia
damage, altered neurochemical activity and altered neurotransmission.
There is no definitive test to diagnose fetal alcohol. Diagnosis is usually made using
four criteria as a basis.
These criteria are:
- Confirmed or suspected alcohol use by the birth mother while she was pregnant with this child.
- Growth retardation.
- Typical facial characteristics: thin lip, abnormal filtrum, epicanthal folds, short eye openings
(palpebral fissures), hypoplastic (undeveloped) mid face.
- Neurodevelopmental problems: impairment of intellect, memory problems, hyperactivity, Attention
Deficit Disorder, attachment issues, poor reasoning and judgment, neurosensory hearing loss, impaired
visual/spatial skills, poor appreciation of consequences, delayed development, impaired motor skills.
There is no cure for FASD. The prognosis for children prenatally affected by alcohol is
better when they live in a family environment. Recognition of the problem and early intervention services
can improve their outcome. Intervention is specialized for each child and is geared towards their
developmental level. Some specialized services that may be beneficial are physical therapy, occupational
therapy, speech therapy and nutritional therapy. A structured environment, behavior modification techniques
and counseling may also be useful in assisting the child in his/her day to day functioning.
Cindy Sundman R.N., BSN, CLNC
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
1-800-666-6327
www.nofas.org
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