Diagnosing FASDs can be hard because there is no medical test, like a blood test, for these conditions. And other disorders, such as ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and Williams syndrome, have some symptoms like FAS. Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use will improve the baby’s health and well-being. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 2 Jan 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 16 Nov 2023), ASHP (updated 10 Jan 2024) and others.

It’s also recommended that you avoid beverages containing alcohol when you’re trying to become pregnant. Many people don’t know they’re pregnant for the first few weeks of pregnancy (four to six weeks). This is because it takes time for your body to build up enough hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that develops in early pregnancy) to be detected on a pregnancy test.

Learning and cognitive difficulties

An individual with FAS may have noticeable changes to their face and limbs, as well as delays in the way their body develops over time. There can also be mental and emotional challenges throughout the person’s life that can impact their social life, education and work. fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.

fetal alcohol syndrome

There isn’t a direct test for FAS and pregnant people may not give a complete history of all alcohol intake during pregnancy. The more alcohol you drink during pregnancy, the greater the chance of problems in your baby. There’s no known safe amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

Fetal alcohol syndrome treatment

It can happen to any child whose mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. A child with FAS may have mental, behavioral, emotional, or developmental problems. He or she may also have growth or other physical problems, such as bone or organ development. FAS cannot be cured, but it can be prevented by not drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

  • Choose a symptom and answer simple questions using our physician-reviewed Symptom Checker to find a possible diagnosis for your health issue.
  • For example, a math tutor could help a child who struggles in school.
  • This condition can have behavioral, cognitive, and physical effects on the developing fetus.
  • Specifically, it can affect the developing brain, such as the hippocampus and cerebellum, which are sensitive to hypoxia and alcohol exposure [37].
  • This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy.

Even light or moderate drinking can affect the developing fetus. FAS is a long-term disability that affects children from birth. It occurs when a fetus becomes exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.

Signs and symptoms

Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can result in FASD by interfering with development of the baby’s brain and other critical organs and physiological functions. This can lead to deficits after birth and beyond.2,3 Alcohol can disrupt development at any stage, even before a woman knows that she is pregnant. If you’ve already consumed alcohol during pregnancy, it’s never too late to stop. Brain growth in the fetus takes place throughout pregnancy, so stopping alcohol consumption as soon as possible is always best.

  • For example, stimulants may help with attention or emotional regulation, while neuroleptics may help with aggression.
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person who was exposed to alcohol before birth.
  • CNS abnormalities include microcephaly, tremors, hyperactivity, lack of motor skills, deficits in attention, learning difficulties, intellectual or cognitive impairment, and seizures [12].
  • Having four or more drinks within two hours is considered a single binge-drinking episode for females.
  • Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the most serious type of FASD.

Treatment to help a mother with alcohol addiction is also recommended. Not only can this prevent fetal alcohol syndrome disorders in future children, it can also provide the mother with parenting skills to help their child with fetal alcohol syndrome. The symptoms of FASDs may look like other health conditions or problems. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Experts know that fetal alcohol syndrome is completely preventable if women don’t drink alcohol at all during pregnancy.

Treatment for FASDs involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. The right treatment plan can help individuals with FASDs manage their symptoms. Choosing the right medication, or combination of medications, depends on an individual’s symptoms. To learn more about medications for FASDs, a person can speak with a healthcare professional. In another study, researchers found that FASD can affect metabolism.

Parental training teaches you how to best interact with and care for your child. Children with FAS will benefit from a stable and loving home. They can be even more sensitive to disruptions in routine than an average child. Children with FAS are especially likely to develop https://ecosoberhouse.com/ problems with violence and substance abuse later in life if they are exposed to violence or abuse at home. These children do well with a regular routine, simple rules to follow, and rewards for positive behavior. Talk to your doctor if you think your child might have FAS.

When to consult a doctor

Children born with this syndrome experience the symptoms throughout their entire lives. Some symptoms can be managed with treatment by a healthcare provider, but they won’t go away. 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.