What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
During pregnancy, mothers must avoid consuming various foods and drinks that contain alcohol. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can trigger health problems in the fetus, namely fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a developmental disorder of the fetus in the womb due to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. When consuming alcohol, this substance can flow to the placenta through the fetus’ bloodstream. Although the alcohol consumed does not trigger any effects on the mother, this condition can have a negative impact on the fetus.
This syndrome causes symptoms to occur together as a result of certain conditions. In severe cases, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) may occur.
This condition can last a lifetime and cannot be cured. However, there are several ways to prevent it, especially by avoiding alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Symptoms Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Symptoms can vary, depending on the severity of the disease. Signs include physical disability, intellectual or cognitive disability, and problems with physical functioning in daily life.
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Symptoms of physical disabilities
The signs include:
- Distinctive facial features include small eyes, a very thin upper lip, a flat nose, and a flat philtrum surface. The philtrum itself is the skin below the nose and above the upper lip.
- Deformities in the joints, legs, and fingers.
- Slow physical growth before and after birth.
- Vision difficulties or hearing problems.
- Small head circumference and brain size.
- Heart defects and problems with the kidneys and bones.
- Brain and central nervous system problems.
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Intellectual and cognitive symptoms
Problems with the brain and central nervous system, including:
- Poor body coordination or balance.
- Intellectual disabilities and learning disorders.
- Bad memory.
- Problems with attention and information processing.
- Difficulty with reasoning and problem solving.
- Difficulty identifying the consequences of choices.
- Poor judgment skills.
- Restlessness or hyperactivity.
- Moods that change quickly.
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Social and behavioral problems
Related to social and behavioral problems symptoms include:
- Difficulty learning at school.
- Having trouble socializing with other people.
- Poor social skills.
- Difficulty adapting to change.
- Problems with behavior and impulse control.
- Bad concept of time.
- Difficulty planning or working toward goals.
In addition to the above conditions, FAS can also cause more serious conditions for sufferers.
Causes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The main cause of fetal alcohol syndrome is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Alcohol is very dangerous for the fetus because alcohol can enter the fetus’ bloodstream through the placenta.
Although alcohol is consumed in small amounts, the fetus is not yet able to process alcohol like adults. As a result, alcohol can cause various health problems in the fetus.
Alcohol interferes with the supply of oxygen and nutrients to a developing baby. Fetal alcohol exposure also harms the development of tissues and organs and can cause permanent brain damage.
The more alcohol a pregnant woman consumes, the higher the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. Any amount of alcohol can harm the developing baby’s brain, heart, and blood vessels in the early weeks of pregnancy.
Risk Factors for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Alcohol can harm the fetus, even before a woman realizes she is pregnant. Therefore, it is best not to consume alcohol when planning a pregnancy, experiencing pregnancy estimates, or during pregnancy.
It is best to avoid several risk factors for fetal alcohol syndrome, such as:
- Habit of consuming alcohol.
- Not reading the contents on the labels of food or drink packaging that is consumed.
- Considering that small amounts of alcohol are still safe to consume.
- Not knowing the clear signs of pregnancy.
Not only mothers, prospective fathers who consume alcohol can also cause fetal alcohol syndrome in the fetus.
There are several things that mothers need to do to keep their pregnancy healthy and smooth.
The Impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome on Each Trimester
There are various effects of alcohol intake during pregnancy. The effects are categorized based on the trimester of pregnancy. For example:
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First trimester
Alcohol use in the first trimester can cause disruption of normal development of the face and brain. This condition can trigger facial abnormalities, such as:
- Narrower eye opening.
- The more delicate area between the lips and nose.
- Thinner upper lip.
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Second trimester
Exposure to alcohol during the second trimester can also cause several disorders in the fetus, such as:
- The brain is not developing optimally.
- Regulation of the fetus’ body temperature becomes hampered.
- Respiratory distress at birth.
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Third trimester
It is never too late to stop drinking alcohol. Excessive alcohol intake in the third trimester can trigger various problems in the fetus, such as:
- Born with low birth weight and small head circumference.
- Premature birth.
- Physical disability.
How to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
This disease is quite difficult to detect. To diagnose this disease, the medical team or obstetrician needs to know about the history of alcohol consumption in the mother.
After knowing the history of alcohol consumption, the doctor can perform an ultrasound on the pregnant woman to see the condition of the fetus. To ensure signs of this syndrome, the doctor will pay attention to several things, such as:
- There are signs of heart abnormalities in the fetus.
- There are physical abnormalities that do not correspond to the age of fetal development.
If such conditions are seen, the doctor can take other examination and treatment steps. The goal is to prevent the signs in the fetus from getting worse.
After that, the doctor will see physical signs after the child is born. Usually, physical signs that can be seen in children with this syndrome will resemble other diseases. Examples include autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and Williams syndrome.
There are several physical signs that will attract the doctor’s attention, namely:
- Condition of the face and bones in babies.
- Baby’s head size.
- Vision and hearing ability.
- Baby’s ability to move.
- The overall health condition of the baby.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Treatment
Currently, there is no specific treatment method available to overcome fetal alcohol syndrome. Treatment is still limited to dealing with the symptoms that appear. While symptoms related to physical and mental abnormalities can be experienced by sufferers for life.
Here are some treatments and care that mothers can do to optimize their child’s quality of life, namely:
1. Provide treatment according to the doctor’s advice
If symptoms of hyperactivity, inability to focus, or anxiety appear, doctors usually recommend the following medications:
- Antidepressants to treat mood-related problems.
- Anti-anxiety medication.
- Stimulant to treat children’s behavioral problems.
- Neuroleptics to treat behavioral problems, aggression, and anxiety.
The doctor will adjust the treatment to the needs and symptoms that appear.
2. Therapy and counseling
In addition to using medication, mothers can also do various therapies to overcome symptoms in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. Therapeutic activities will be in accordance with the child’s health condition.
- Speech therapy can improve a child’s ability to speak.
- Occupational therapy can improve a child’s physical abilities, especially those who have difficulty performing daily activities.
In some sufferers they also undergo complementary therapies, such as massage, acupuncture, exercise, and yoga. Not only in children, mothers who are still addicted to alcohol also need treatment.
3. Self-care
Parents and relatives also need to support the child’s success when honing his/her abilities, in overcoming the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome. Make sure parents help the child face and undergo the treatment process.
Not only that, parents and relatives are also required to support in restoring the emotional condition and mental disorders of the child during the treatment process.
Complications of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Complications of fetal alcohol syndrome can cause disorders in babies at birth, including:
1. Developmental disorders
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are at risk of experiencing developmental disorders. In addition to physical growth that is not in accordance with age, the growth of children’s fine and gross motor skills will also develop more slowly. Not only that, children also experience delays in communication skills that are not in accordance with their age.
2. Mental health disorders
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are at risk of mental health problems ranging from depression to stress.
3. Behavioral disorders
Children with this condition are at risk of experiencing behavioral disorders. Starting from the use of illegal drugs to experiencing disorders in the school environment and socialization.
4. Other complications
There are several other complications that can occur in children with this condition, such as:
- Focus disorders in children.
- Hyperactive.
- Experiencing sexually abusive behavior.
- As children grow, it can trigger inappropriate social behavior and drug abuse.
Not only that, this syndrome can also affect the development of the baby’s brain.
How to Prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
The only preventive measure is to stop drinking alcohol. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Avoid consuming alcohol
To avoid this condition, make sure you avoid consuming alcohol when planning or undergoing pregnancy. Because alcohol content can interfere with the development and physical growth of the fetus in the womb.
Alcohol content can also interfere with the development of nerve cells that are responsible for optimizing brain parts and functions.
In addition to avoiding alcohol intake, don’t forget to consume the nutrients needed during pregnancy.
2. Seek treatment immediately if you are addicted to alcohol.
If you are experiencing alcohol addiction, it is important to seek treatment and help as soon as possible when planning a pregnancy. This can help you avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy, which can cause these health problems in your baby.
3. Know the contents of the food and drinks you consume
When consuming food and drinks, make sure you know the contents of the food and drinks. It is best to avoid if it contains alcohol even in small amounts.
Make sure you consume a variety of healthy foods and drinks. That way, the development of the fetus will be more optimal.
Want to know what snacks are healthy for mothers and fetuses?
4. Do not consume alcohol while breastfeeding
After giving birth, you should also not consume alcohol. This is because the content of alcohol can enter the breast milk consumed by the baby.
If you have ever given birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, ask about substance abuse counseling and treatment programs to help overcome alcohol or other substance abuse.
