Introduction
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) include a group of medical conditions that develop due to excessive alcohol intake during pregnancy. These disorders develop when the person gets exposed to alcohol before birth. During any trimester of pregnancy, alcohol can harm the baby, even at the earliest when the mother stays unaware of the pregnancy. It affects the physical and mental development of the baby, leading to defects.
What Are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders?
When a person gets exposed to alcohol before birth or when the mother consumes alcohol during pregnancy, it may lead to the development of a group of medical conditions termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD affects the developing baby or the fetus, leading to defective development. They will have various conditions leading to learning, behavioral, social, or medical problems.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
A person with FASD may develop the following signs:
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Decreased body weight.
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Lack of memory power.
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Less coordination.
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Difficulty to focus or concentrate.
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Hyperactive behavior.
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Poor judgment skills.
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Sleep problems as a baby.
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Abnormal facial features in infants include a thin upper lip, a smooth philtrum (ridge present between the upper lip and nose), a short and upturned nose, and small eyes.
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Short height.
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Sucking issues as a baby.
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Deformities affecting the limbs, fingers, or joints.
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Delayed physical growth.
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Difficulty in paying attention.
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Learning difficulty.
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Small-sized brain.
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Hearing and vision impairment.
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Multiple organ issues affect the kidneys, heart, or bones.
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Disinterest in attending school.
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Delayed speech and language development.
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Low intelligence quotient (IQ).
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Poor reasoning ability.
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Inability to differentiate fantasy and reality.
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Short-term memory issues.
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Rapid mood changes.
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Trouble making friends and getting along with others.
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The small size of the head as infants.
What Are the Ways to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
Diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is challenging as no laboratory tests or other diagnostic aids help to diagnose the condition. The doctor will observe the symptoms and will enquire if the mother has had alcohol during the pregnancy period to confirm the condition. Based on these details, multiple diagnoses will be made by the doctor. Some of them are given below:
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Alcohol-Related Birth Defect: Alcohol-related birth defect or ARBD is a condition with a mix of symptoms associated with bones, kidneys, or heart. The affected people may also develop hearing impairment.
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: FAS or fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a group of symptoms in which the affected individuals experience issues related to the central nervous system. They may exhibit small facial features. Their growth and overall development will be retarded. They may have a mix of problems associated with learning abilities, concentration, behavior, and others.
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Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder: People with alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder or ARND show intellectual, behavioral, and learning disabilities. They may find it difficult to learn maths, memorize lessons, pay attention to school classes, and might find attending schools challenging.
In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, FASD symptoms may appear similar to those of William’s syndrome or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). To diagnose FASD, the doctors will also check for central nervous system-related symptoms like small head, coordination difficulties, and others.
How to Treat Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is incurable. It lasts for the lifetime of the affected individual. However, recent studies have shown that early intervention treatments may help the child improve the developmental symptoms. Since most of the symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are related to development and growth, no medicines have been discovered so far to improve the condition. Providing education, therapy, or training is found to provide an improvement.
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Behavioral Therapy: Behavioral therapy helps to treat mental health-related issues. According to the basis of behavioral therapy, all behaviors are learned throughout the life of an individual. New behaviors can be introduced, and persisting behaviors can be changed.
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Educational Therapy: Educational therapy is when the educator provides face-to-face or one-on-one classes to the person or student outside the school or classroom. The educator should be aware of the learning challenges faced by the student. They will also create various session patterns to make the student stay attentive and grasp what is taught.
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Parent Training: Parents should also be trained about the child's condition and challenges. They should know that the child’s lack of school performance is only due to their underlying condition. They should also be encouraged to introduce therapy sessions to the child.
The healthcare professional should closely monitor the child. The parents and the children should be encouraged to make timely appointments to consult the doctor for follow-up management. Following up will help the doctor analyze the progress made by the child. It is also necessary to add alternate and additional treatments to the routine management steps. The parents and teachers should maintain pleasant and lovable surroundings for the child having fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. They should be made to stay away from violent activities taking place around them. Social services and special education facilities are now available for those with FASD, which will be beneficial in managing the condition in a better way.
How to Prevent the Development of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?
Prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder should be considered essential by the expecting mothers, as the disorder has no permanent cure and will stay as a limitation throughout the child's life. It can only be done by quitting the habit of alcohol consumption. If a woman is trying to conceive, she should avoid alcohol even before getting pregnant. In other cases, the woman will only come to know that she is pregnant after missing the period or conducting the necessary tests. In such cases, the woman should stop alcohol consumption once she learns about her pregnancy.
Conclusion
FASD, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, is a group of symptoms that affects an individual due to exposure to alcohol before birth. The main symptoms of FASD are associated with development and behavior and will persist throughout the individual's life. There is no medicine or permanent cure for the condition. Quitting alcohol consumption by the expecting mother is the only way to prevent the condition.
