FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME The Facts About FAS and Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND)

What causes FAS?  Exposure to alcohol during prenatal period  More frequent alcohol use increases the risk to the fetus.  Only a few drinks during critical phases of development may lead to FASD.  Critical stages of development occur within the first month of pregnancy. (Frequently, the mother does not know she is pregnant before alcohol exposure has harmed the fetus).  Fathers who drink heavily prior to the conception of the baby may adversely affect the baby.

QUESTIONS ? What if I only drink a little while pregnant? I don’t drink the hard stuff… is that okay? Will I be okay if I stop the last few months. Beer doesn’t count, does it?

Who is affected:  Any UNBORN CHILD, male or female, of any race might be affected by the ALCOHOL that a MOTHER CONSUMES WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT.  When a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol will be passed on to the unborn child in the blood through the placenta.  Because of the size of the unborn baby, the alcohol level will be higher than the level in the mother.

Alcohol Exposure During the Pregnancy Trimesters  First: During the first trimester, alcohol interferes with the migration and organization of brain cells and the formation of the central nervous system.  Second: Heavy drinking during the second trimester, particularly from the 10th to 20th week after conception, seems to cause more clinical features of FAS than at other times during pregnancy.  Third: During the third trimester, the hippocampus is greatly affected, which leads to problems with encoding visual and auditory information (reading and math) and the inability to form or retain new memories.

Red = Great alcohol sensitivity Yellow = Continued alcohol sensitivity

Effects on the growing baby…

FAS Physical Characteristics Head Small head circumference Small eye openings Smooth, wide philtrum Thin upper-lip Other Organ deformities Skeletal abnormalities Central nervous system damage Behavioral problems * Facial characteristics may not be present at all if the mother did not drink alcohol during the brief period that the mid-face was forming - around the 20th week of pregnancy

Intellectual Characteristics IQ ranges from very low to above average Difficulty storing and retrieving information Struggles with abstract concepts Trouble staying at task Difficulty generalizing knowledge and experiences

Behavioral Issues Unaware of social mores Poor judgment Hyperactivity Impulsive Emotionally Immature Unable to remember and or apply rules *Problems often intensify as the child moves though the teen years and manifest in criminal behaviors

Degree of Disability Mild Disability  Developmental delays  IQ normal to above normal  Learning disabilities  Behavioral disabilities including ADHD, impulsiveness, and anxiety  Little or no physical deformities Severe Disability  Developmental delays  Mean IQ under 70  Learning disabilities  Behavioral disabilities including ADHD, impulsiveness, and anxiety  Profound physical deformities

Remember, “STRATEGIES NOT SOLUTIONS!”  FAS Children do learn, but all learn differently, “find what works best and stick to it!”  Create a friendly and structured home environment that is familiar...  Creating routines/schedules serves as anchors of time for children with FAS/ARND  Limit changes in their routine/schedules “less is better!” to avoid overwhelming

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is…  The leading cause of mental retardation in the western civilization. Notable Facts and Statistics

In comparison…  Of all the substances of abuse including heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.

Childbearing Women…  Over 50% of women of childbearing age drink alcohol.  Only 39% of women of childbearing age even know what FAS is.

To Drink or Not to Drink?  About 20% of women who are known to be pregnant continue to drink during their pregnancy.  The incidence of drinking during pregnancy has increased substantially in the past several years, possibly due to the misleading media message that a drink a day is healthy.

Women at the Highest Risk of Drinking During Pregnancy include….  Women who smoke  Women who are single  Women who are in college or have a degree  Women in households with incomes over $50,000

In the United States…  At least 5,000 infants are born each year in the U.S. with full FAS, or approximately one in every 750 live births.

Beyond FAS…  Every year in the U.S. between 35,000 and 50,000 babies are born with Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND) that will interfere with their ability to function in life.  FAS falls under the umbrella of Disorders that ARND represents, however it is a specific diagnosis. ARND represents a wide range of defects and disorders. ARND FAS

Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder…  ARND affects one out of every one hundred babies in North America, making alcohol the leading cause of brain damage today. 1/100

Intellectual Effects of FAS…  While many individuals with FAS have mental retardation, most individuals with FAS have an IQ in the normal range.

Physical and Mental Effects…  Persons with FAS and ARND have serious problems with attention deficits, impulse control, judgment, and memory.  Although many of the physical characteristics associated with FAS become less prominent after puberty, behavioral and emotional problems become more pronounced.

Social Development…  Among children with FAS and ARND up to age 15, the social maturation process seems to be stunted at the level of a 6 year old child. Fetal Alcohol Resource Center of Tucson

Achieving Independence…  Fewer than 10% of individuals with FAS or ARND are able to achieve success in living and working independently.

The Father’s Effect…  While only the mother’s drinking can cause FAS or ARND, the father’s drinking can lower testosterone levels, decrease healthy sperm, and increase the risk of disorders in offspring.  Preliminary animal studies indicate that alcohol can damage the DNA in male sperm.

Financial Impact…  Each year, taxpayers spend $1.9 billion to treat children and adults diagnosed with FAS. FAS and ARND are both