Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) represent a group of conditions that occur in individuals who were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. These disorders, caused by maternal alcohol consumption during gestation, lead to various behavioral, cognitive, and neurological deficits in the offspring.

Characteristics

FASD is characterized by a range of physical, mental, behavioral, and learning problems. The issues can vary from mild to severe, including:

• Physical growth problems, both pre- and post-natal
• Distinct facial features, including a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (philtrum), small head size, and narrow eye openings
• Psycho-neurological issues ranging from learning disabilities, intellectual disability, poor executive functioning, difficulties with attention and memory, and problems with impulse control.

Causes and Risk Factors

The cause of FASD is prenatal exposure to alcohol. Alcohol can disrupt the development of the fetus at any stage during pregnancy, including before a woman even knows that she's pregnant. The severity and range of problems resulting from this exposure vary greatly among affected individuals and can depend on factors such as the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption, the stage of pregnancy during which alcohol was consumed, and the overall health and nutritional status of the mother.

Diagnosis and Assessment

Diagnosing FASD can be complex due to the varying manifestations of the disorder. It generally involves an assessment of the individual's physical features, growth, central nervous system functioning, and history of prenatal alcohol exposure. Diagnostic criteria vary for the different conditions under the FASD umbrella, such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND), and Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD).

Prevention and Management

The only sure way to prevent FASD is to abstain from alcohol use during pregnancy. For those affected, early diagnosis and intervention services can improve their long-term outcomes. These services may include special education, social services, and behavioral therapies.

See Also

• Pregnancy
• Alcohol
• Developmental Disorders

References

• May, P. A., & Gossage, J. P. (2001). Estimating the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome: a summary. Alcohol research & health, 25(3), 159–167.
• Popova, S., Lange, S., Shield, K., Mihic, A., Chudley, A. E., Mukherjee, R. A., ... & Rehm, J. (2016). Comorbidity of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 387(10022), 978-987.

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