What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorders? |
| Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) affects many children and spares few communities in the world from its ravages. It is claimed to be the most frequent cause of preventable mental handicap in the world and is devastating in its lifelong effects and serious sequelae in affected persons. In South Africa, the condition has been evaluated in several communities thought to be especially at risk and, from a population totaling 45 million, it has been estimated that 1 million persons have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) with a further 4 -5 million exhibiting signs of the lesser form of the condition, namely fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. |
What is FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders)? |
When a woman drinks alcohol whilst she is pregnant she exposes her unborn baby to alcohol which can result in a condition in the baby called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
The baby can be affected in three different ways:
1. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
- This is the most severe form of FASD.
- The child will have growth retardation, nervous system problems(e.g. Intellectual Disability) and
organ abnormalities, and has the typical facial features.
2. Alcohol-related birth defect (ARBD)
- The child will have alcohol-related organ abnormalities but not the typical facial features
3. Alcohol-related neuro-developmental defect (ARND)
- The child will have nervous system problems (e.g. Intellectual Disability) but without any organ
abnormalities or the typical facial features Is there a safe amount that you can drink during
pregnancy?
NO. Not even one glass of alcohol should be taken as no research can state how much alcohol causes what damage. The safest is not to drink alcohol while pregnant. |
Alcohol affects every organ in the body. Typical clinical features include:
• Growth abnormalities
- Low birth weight
- Short stature
- Failure to thrive
- Small head (microcephaly)
- Short adult height and underweight • Characteristic facial features
- Short or narrow eye openings (palpebral fissures)
- Sunken nasal bridge
- Short upturned nose
- Low set ears
- Flattening of the cheekbones and midface
- Smoothing and elongation of the ridged area (the philtrum) between the nose and lips
- Smooth, long upper lip.
-Thin vermillion (upper lip) border
- Small chin (micrognathia) • Nervous system abnormalities
- Developmental delay
- Mental retardation (average IQ = 65)
• Behavioural problems
- Baby -; poor sucking and feeding difficulties, crying a lot, irritable, disturbed sleeping patterns,
difficult to fit into situations, developmental delay
- Toddler - hyperactive, reduced attention span, poor language development uncontrolled expressions
of anger, oversensitive to sensory stimuli, fine motor difficulties, developmental delay, talkative,
spontaneous (no inhibitions)
- Childhood -hyperactive, easily distracted, poor concentration span, poor problem solving, impulsive
and fearless, poor social skills
- Adolescent and young adult – learning difficulties, lack life skills and problem solving,
conduct disorderss, inappropriate social behaviour. • Abnormalities in other organ systems
- Heart - hole between the right and left sides of the heart between the ventricles or less commonly,
the atria.
- Kidney defect
- Deafness
- Brain - increased fluid pressure on the brain that may require shunting to relieve the pressure)
- Cleft lip (sometimes with a cleft palate)
- Spinal problems
- Narrowing of the aorta (one of the major blood vessels in the body) |
Yes, it is a world-wide problem. South Africa has the highest reported rate of FASD in the world. More details will be provided in the next newsflash in August 2010.
Can any child get FASD?
Yes, it does not ask for colour, race, income status. Any woman who is pregnant can give birth to a child affected by FASD if she drinks during her pregnancy. |
Can FAS and FASD be reversed? |
| No the damage is irreversible and permanent. FASD is 100% preventable, pregnant women should not drink any amount of alcohol during pregnancy. |
What are the typical features of FAS? |
Must be done by specialized professionals working with FASD. It required a multi-disciplinary approach by these professionals. The diagnosis of FASD must be based on solid evidence as a FASD diagnosis is of great importance for the entire lifetime of the child, not to speak of its implications for the child's mother and other family members.
A diagnosis of FASD can only be made by trained health care professionals. 3 pronged approach:
1. clinical evaluation (medical evaluation),
2. neuro-developmental (psychological) assessment and
3. a maternal interview.
The diagnosis is very difficult at birth and is best made around between 3 -10 years of age. |
What can be done to prevent FASD? |
The vital aspect to keep in mind and focus on is that FASD is completely preventable. Pregnant women should not drink.
The message must be spread….NO ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY!!!!!!!
Communities, professionals like social workers, educators, nurses, doctors should know this and create that awareness. Spreading the message will prevent children from having FASD. |
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CONTACT DETAILS Tel: 021-686 2646
Fax: 021-685 7034
e-mail: info@farrsa.org.za
BANKING DETAILS Account holder: Foundation for Alcohol Related Research
Standard Bank, Riverside Centre, Rondebosch, 7700 Branch code: 025009
Account number: 001982664 Account type:
Business Current Account LEANA OLIVIER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
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