Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. The Department of Neurology cares for infants, children, and adolescents with all types of neurologic and developmental disorders. Rivkin and colleagues at Boston Medical Center used volumetric MRI imaging to study the brain structures of 21 young adolescents with prenatal substance exposures and 14 with no exposures. Adolescents exposed prenatally to cocaine, alcohol, or cigarettes showed reductions in total brain volume and in gray matter in the brain's cerebral cortex, important in many cognitive functions.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a developmental and congenital disorder characterized by neurocognitive impairment, structural defects, and growth restriction due to prenatal alcohol exposure. The estimated global prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy is 9.8%, and the estimated prevalence of FAS in the general population is 14.6 per 10,000 people. In Korea, the estimated prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy is 16%, and the prevalence of FAS is 18–51 per 10,000 women, which is higher than the global prevalence. Women’s alcohol consumption rates have increased, especially in women of childbearing age. This could increase the incidence of FAS, leading to higher medical expenses and burden on society.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnosis

A doctor, counselor, or therapist can create a harm reduction plan and support system to help the person start to reduce their alcohol consumption in a healthy way. Sometimes, this means that people drink alcohol without realizing that they are pregnant. Alcohol is a teratogen, which means that it is toxic to developing babies.

• People with FAS have better outcomes if they experience a supportive and loving environment during childhood.
• Alcohol use during this time could negatively impact the baby.
• Alcohol seems most damaging in the first trimester (three months) of pregnancy but can affect the fetus at any time during the pregnancy.
• Early detection and treatment can help children learn vital skills and improve their chances of being able to live independently as adults.
• An estimated 50–90% of people with FASD are also diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many other people have secondary mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.

There is no cure for FASDs, but research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. There is no particular treatment for FASD, and the damage to a child's brain and body cannot be reversed. But an early diagnosis and support can make a big difference. The type of FASD symptoms a baby has and how severe they are is different depending on how often, and how much, the mother drank during pregnancy. The greater the amount of alcohol consumed, the more severe the symptoms tend to be.

How can I help my child live with FASD?

For some, it’s best to monitor their child's progress throughout life, so it’s important to have a healthcare provider you trust. Investigating the use of other potential https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/addiction-vs-dependence-what-is-the-difference/ teratogens during pregnancy is also important [12,44]. Smoking and drinking are highly correlated; therefore, alcoholics are more likely to be heavy smokers [37].

Because early diagnosis may help reduce the risk of long-term problems for children with fetal alcohol syndrome, let your child's doctor know if you drank alcohol while you were pregnant. FASDs are a range of conditions that occur if a fetus is exposed to alcohol before birth. There are variable processes in the effects of alcohol on the fetus.

Symptoms and Causes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designated specific drugs for treating the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol in babies. However, it's important fetal alcohol syndrome to note that there is no treatment for life-long birth defects and retardation. Alcohol use during pregnancy causes life-long issues that can be very serious.

• Although there is no treatment for FAS, there are strategies that can improve its symptoms.
• Parents might learn different routines and rules that can help their child adapt to different situations.