Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Analysis
Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a group of conditions caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy (CDC, 2015). This set of conditions (FAS) encompasses a full range of prenatal alcohol damage that can vary from mild to severe. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome can cause physical deformities, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, motor or neurological deficits, or a combination of these effects (CDC, 2015). Alcohol falls under the chemical category of teratogens, which enters the mother’s bloodstream upon consumption and subsequently reaches fetus’s bloodstream (NIH, 2002).
The fetus is extremely vulnerable to the harm of alcohol, especially in the early stages of development. Alcohol greatly disturbs the well-synchronized stages of developmental …show more content…
Physical symptoms of FAS include the following: abnormal facial features (such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip), smaller head size, shorter that average stature, vision and hearing problems, lower body weight, and problems with the heart, kidney, and bones. Developmental symptoms of FAS include poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, low IQ, and poor reasoning and judgmental skills (CDC, 2015). FAS has life long effects, and there is presently no cure for FAS. Diagnosis is determined by a physician after a specialized physical examination (CDC, 2015). Although some effects may not be present at birth, they can arise later in childhood. These effects include behavioral issues and learning disabilities (NIC, …show more content…
I would obtain all the immunizations I need prior to getting pregnant and abstain from drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy (Berger, 2014). In addition, I would avoid other teratogens by not consuming undercooked meats and fish high in mercury. I would focus on eating a well balanced diet and make sure that I was gaining a normal amount of weight during pregnancy. I would also try to get regular, moderate exercise and adequate sleep and rest. I would avoid all prescription drugs and over the counter medicine, unless authorized by my OB/GYN (Berger,
The fetus is extremely vulnerable to the harm of alcohol, especially in the early stages of development. Alcohol greatly disturbs the well-synchronized stages of developmental …show more content…
Physical symptoms of FAS include the following: abnormal facial features (such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip), smaller head size, shorter that average stature, vision and hearing problems, lower body weight, and problems with the heart, kidney, and bones. Developmental symptoms of FAS include poor coordination, hyperactive behavior, difficulty with attention, learning disabilities, speech and language delays, low IQ, and poor reasoning and judgmental skills (CDC, 2015). FAS has life long effects, and there is presently no cure for FAS. Diagnosis is determined by a physician after a specialized physical examination (CDC, 2015). Although some effects may not be present at birth, they can arise later in childhood. These effects include behavioral issues and learning disabilities (NIC, …show more content…
I would obtain all the immunizations I need prior to getting pregnant and abstain from drinking alcohol before and during pregnancy (Berger, 2014). In addition, I would avoid other teratogens by not consuming undercooked meats and fish high in mercury. I would focus on eating a well balanced diet and make sure that I was gaining a normal amount of weight during pregnancy. I would also try to get regular, moderate exercise and adequate sleep and rest. I would avoid all prescription drugs and over the counter medicine, unless authorized by my OB/GYN (Berger,