Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: fetal + syndrome + alcohol  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/7/2008)

Canada.com Occasional binge drinking may not harm fetus Canada.com, Canada - Aug 5, 2008 ... binge drinking once in a while caused problems such as miscarriage, stillbirth, abnormal birth weight, or birth defects such as fetal alcohol syndrome. ... Putting the pieces together New Lenox Patriot, IL - Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) affect approximately 40000 newborns in the US each year. ... Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Rocklin and Roseville Today, CA - Jul 27, 2008 In time, a physician diagnosed both Chris and Alex with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says FAS can occur in ... New facility in New Lenox caters to families dealing with autism ... Chicago Tribune, United States - Jul 30, 2008 By Bonnie Miller Rubin | Chicago Tribune reporter A new center addressing the needs of families and children with autism and fetal alcohol syndrome will ... Alcohol Binges Early In Pregnancy Increase Risk Of Infant Oral Clefts Science Daily (press release) - Aug 1, 2008 One of the most severe outcomes of heavy maternal drinking is fetal alcohol syndrome, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities, ... Treating Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Ivanhoe, FL - Jul 24, 2008 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- The effects of fetal alcohol exposure may be more profound than researchers hoped. Results of a new study reveal the prenatal damage ... Expert says rapist 'seriously disturbed' Edmonton Sun,  Canada - Aug 6, 2008 As well, Massey said Huppie displays symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, has dependencies on booze and drugs and has features of an antisocial personality ... CTV.ca At least 22000 Canadian children need parents CTV.ca, Canada - Aug 2, 2008 But there are also concerns about fetal alcohol syndrome. "Many people only want babies, and they only want babies from homes where they know there has been ... tendency to binge drink key in high rate of fetal alcohol cases Appleton Post Crescent,  USA - Jul 20, 2008 So is her son, now 18, who was born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Each year, as many as 200 Wisconsin newborns show the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, ... The unnecessary tragedy of fetal alcohol syndrome; Niagara Falls Review, Canada - Jul 12, 2008 In recent years, we have all read stories detailing the horrors of fetal alcohol syndrome. Testimony at a fatality inquiry in Lethbridge, Alta. this week ...

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol (wine, beer, or liquor) is the leading known preventable cause of mental and physical birth defects in the United States.

When a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy, she risks giving birth to a child who will pay the price - in mental and physical deficiencies - for the rest of his or her entire life.

Yet many pregnant women do drink alcohol, and it's estimated that one in every 750 infants is born with a pattern of physical, developmental, and functional problems referred to as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) each year in the United States. Another 40,000 children are born with fetal alcohol effects (FAE) each year.

If you have adopted your child, there are signs you can recognize that may indicate fetal alcohol syndrome. Or if you have consumed alcohol during pregnancy and are concerned that your child may have FAS, there are some signs that you can look for.

Signs and Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Characteristics of children with FAS include:

• low birth weight
• small head circumference
• failure to thrive
• developmental delay
• organ dysfunction
• facial abnormalities, including smaller eye openings, flattened cheekbones, and indistinct philtrum (an underdeveloped groove between the nose and the upper lip)
• epilepsy
• poor coordination/fine motor skills
• poor socialization skills, such as difficulty building and maintaining friendships and relating to groups
• lack of imagination or curiosity
• learning difficulties, including poor memory, inability to understand concepts such as time and money, poor language comprehension, poor problem- solving skills
• behavioral problems, including hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, social withdrawal, stubbornness, impulsiveness, and anxiety

Children with FAE display the same symptoms, but to a lesser degree, and are less likely to have mental retardation.

Diagnosis and Long-Term Effects
Problems associated with FAS tend to intensify as children move into adulthood. These can include mental health problems, troubles with the law, and the inability to live independently.

Children with FAE are frequently undiagnosed. This also applies to children with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), a recently recognized category of prenatal damage that refers to those children who exhibit only the behavioral and emotional problems of FAS/FAE, without any signs of developmental delay or physical growth deficiencies.

Often, in kids with FAE or ARND, the behavior can appear as mere belligerence or obstinancy. They may score well on intelligence tests, but their behavioral deficits often interfere with their ability to succeed. Extensive education and training of health care professionals, parents, and teachers are essential to caring for these children.