Basics about FASDs

Marijuana, cocaine, and caffeine are also significantly correlated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy [37]. Marijuana smoking can increase the level of carbon monoxide in the mother’s body, causing hypoxia and thus increasing the risk of FAS [37]. Cocaine causes uterine artery vasoconstriction and exacerbates hypoxic fetal conditions [37]. First, drinking alcohol and hypoxia are related, and hypoxia is a primary cause of cellular damage [37]. If a mother drinks alcohol and the alcohol is metabolized in the liver, the amount of oxygen in the circulation would significantly decrease.

• The FDA has designated specific drugs for treating the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol in babies.
• There is no cure for FASDs, but treatments can help manage symptoms.
• In this article, we look at why FAS occurs and its symptoms, treatments, and risk factors.
• A woman should stop drinking at once if she thinks she could be pregnant.
• Some behavioral difficulties may cause a person difficulty getting along with others.

However, diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can be difficult. FASD may present in childhood or early adulthood with mild social or intellectual concerns, or it can present with birth defects and growth problems during pregnancy. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/ (FAS) is a congenital fetal disorder caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)

A permanent condition, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) happens when a person consumes any amount of alcohol during a pregnancy. Alcohol use during pregnancy can interfere with the baby’s development, causing physical and mental defects. Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe condition within a group of conditions called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

The variance seen in outcomes of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is poorly understood. Diagnosis is based on an assessment of growth, facial features, central nervous system, and alcohol exposure by a multi-disciplinary team of professionals. The main criteria for diagnosis of FASD is nervous system damage and alcohol exposure, with FAS including congenital malformations of the lips and growth deficiency.

What’s the difference between fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)?

Most often, FAS is diagnosed based on the mother’s history and the appearance of your baby, based on a physician examination by a physician. There’s no cure for FASDs, but early treatment can help your child thrive. This involves understanding the unique challenges of parenting a child with an FASD and adjusting as necessary. Parents may also benefit from joining local support groups or finding a family counselor. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explain that roughly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.