Prenatal alcohol exposure and central nervous system (CNS) involvement are factors common to the disorders encompassing FASD. Evidence of CNS involvement can be structural (e.g., small brain size, alterations in specific brain regions) or functional (e.g., cognitive and behavioral deficits, motor and coordination problems). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders describes the range of conditions in children caused when the mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. Symptoms vary greatly among children and can include all or a mix of physical, behavioral, and learning and thinking problems.

• While FAS is incurable, there are treatments for some symptoms.
• This could be from a doctor, an addiction support service, or a mental health professional.
• Speak to a GP or health visitor if you have any concerns about your child’s development or think they could have FASD.
• It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose a person with FASD because of the variety of symptoms and spectrum of severity.
• You can also find your nearest alcohol support services or read advice on cutting down your drinking and alcohol in pregnancy.

Characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

Call your child’s doctor or other healthcare professional for an appointment if you have any concerns about your child’s growth and development. When combined with individuals’ primary disabilities, these secondary disabilities increase the complexity of care, and result in significant social and economic costs to society. The timing, frequency, and amount of alcohol all contribute to the chance and severity of FASDs. However, the exact way alcohol disrupts fetal development is complex and not fully understood.

Does fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) last into adulthood?

These are called secondary effects because they’re not part of FAS itself. Instead, these secondary effects happen as a result of having FAS. The beginning of fetal development is the most important for the whole body, but organs like the brain continue to develop throughout pregnancy. It’s impossible to exactly pinpoint all drunken baby syndrome of the development during pregnancy, making it risky to drink alcohol at any time prior to birth. There is no safe amount or type of alcoholic beverage, and no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy.

How can I prevent fetal alcohol syndrome?

• However, most studies have not researched FAS symptoms in people over the age of 30.
• Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can result in FASD by interfering with development of the baby’s brain and other critical organs and physiological functions.
• While we realize this term may not match your gender experience, it’s the term used by the researchers whose data was cited.
• However, consumption of alcohol any time during pregnancy can be harmful, according to guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• Visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator® to learn more about evidence-based treatments for alcohol-related problems.

As a result, when a fetus becomes exposed to alcohol, they absorb all of it. Each type includes different physical or developmental characteristics on the spectrum. People with FAS may have problems with their vision, hearing, memory, attention span, and abilities to learn and communicate. While the defects vary from one person to another, the damage is often permanent. Alcohol is one of the most widely used substances in the world. In the United States, about 90% of adults report use at some point.

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. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that develops in a fetus (developing baby) when a pregnant person drinks alcohol during pregnancy. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that happen together as the result of a particular disease or abnormal condition. When someone has fetal alcohol syndrome, they’re at the most severe end of what are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).

• There are currently five conditions that make up FASD, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
• These include healing practices, such as massage and acupuncture (the placement of thin needles into key body areas).
• Previous FASD estimates were based on smaller study populations and did not reflect the overall U.S. population.
• Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are caused by a baby’s exposure to alcohol during pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Overview

Early diagnosis and services can help improve your child’s ability to function. Children born with this syndrome experience the symptoms throughout their entire lives. Some symptoms can be managed with treatment by a healthcare provider, but they won’t go away.