FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Introduction

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of a group of birth defects. They are also known as fetal alcohol effects and are commonly grouped together as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These disorders include effects that strike a mother if she drinks alcohol during the span of her pregnancy. It can cause a lot of harmful effects to the body of a woman during her maternity period. These effects can mainly include learning, physical, mental and behavioral disabilities, with possible lifelong implications. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a major cause of congenital mental retardation. These children suffer from persistent decline in intellect and social adaptation of them is limited. Although in the future they can have their children. And as grownups if they restrict themselves from alcohol, they can have healthy children. The mothers, who give birth to a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome, abide by drinking during their pregnancy, than they can give birth to healthy children. But for this they need to refrain from any alcoholic beverages and not to drink alcohol even in small quantities. They need to take extra care of themselves and the babies in their stomach.

According to research by American scientists, the components of FAS mainly include the following:

* Low birth weight;

* Violation of physical development: a disproportionate figure, small or, conversely, too tall and / or weight;

* Anomalies of the maxillofacial region: hypoplasia (underdevelopment), zygomatic arch, mandible, shortened upper lip, nasal bridge, narrow eye slits;

* Pathology of the nervous system: microcephaly - underdevelopment of the brain or its parts, resulting in some neurological and intellectual disorders;

* Spina bifida" - open back, buried an incomplete spinal canal;

* Numerous anomalies of the organs most frequently encountered malformations of the heart, the external genital organs and joints.

Body

Alcoholism

Alcohol is a culturally acceptable, legal drug that is part of the lives of many women. It can be very harmful for a harmful who keeps consuming it frequently. In the case of pregnant women, it is the most dangerous drug. However, alcohol dependency can occur when alcohol is continually consumed despite negative consequences to one's overall health and well-being. The American Medical Association considers alcohol dependence, also commonly known as alcoholism, to be characterized by tolerance, the need to consume increasing amounts of alcohol to feel its effects, and the appearance of physical symptoms when alcohol use is discontinued.People spend a lot of their money on alcohol and other dangerous drugs, if they once get addicted to them. This may cause them losses to their finances and majorly their health. Two types of alcohol that are commonly abused are ethyl alcohol, found in beer, wine, spirits and liqueurs; and methyl alcohol, in household substances such as solvents, paint thinners, and antifreeze(Jones, Smith, 2009).

Maternal Alcohol Addiction

While the physiological effects of alcohol addiction are well-documented as potentially life threatening to both men and women, a primary focus of literature pertaining to maternal alcohol addiction is related to the effects on ...