Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research Paper

Running head: FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Introduction to Psychology A

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This paper will be taking a look at Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. The physical aspects, like what it is, how alcohol affects the growth of a foetus and how alcohol impacts an alcoholic’s health are discussed, as well as what characteristics it takes on in the community and what the possible causes are. South Africa has the highest rate of FAS in the world. Why is this so, and what role has history played in this distressing epidemic?

The following citation, provides a summary of what FAS is; “Foetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term used to categorize the range of effects an individual
may have as a result of maternal alcohol use. The most severe diagnostic category is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
(FAS). Others include Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS), alcohol-related neuro- developmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol related birth defects (ARBD)” (Rendall-Mkosi, London, Adnams,
Morojele, McLoughlin, & Goldstone, 2008, p. 7). FAS is also the only known disability that is completely preventable, the syndrome is caused when the birth mother consumes alcohol excessively during pregnancy (Astley, 2004). A positive diagnosis is made when it is confirmed that the mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy, but if this information is not available, the presence of all or some of the following three characteristics can also be an indicator. The first is facial and other bodily deformations, second is when the child’s growth is significantly smaller that its peers and a third when mental and behavioural processes are affected (Stillerman, 2013) (Nutrition Information
Centre, n.d.). A child with symptoms from all three categories will be diagnosed with the severest form of alcohol-induced harm called FAS (Rendall-Mkosi, London, Adnams, Morojele,
McLoughlin, & Goldstone, 2008). If the impact of maternal alcohol consumption could be marked on a stick, then FAS and foetal death would be at the one end of it, and minor symptoms on the other
(Wass, Mattson, & Riley, 2004). When symptoms are less severe, but still caused by alcohol abuse, you are diagnosed as having FASD. A person with FASD may have any number of symptoms, the

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onus lies with skilled professionals to try and address these before it’s too late. Some cases are hard to detect when visible deformities are absent (Boggan, 2003). The characteristics of these symptoms will be described in a subsequent paragraph.

Not many studies have been done in South Africa to determine the level of awareness about
FASD. From two studies done, it was determined that of the women attending the local clinics, more than 90% of them from the Western Cape knew about the harmful effects of Alcohol, but to limited degrees (Marais, Jordaan, Olivier, & Viljoen, 2012). In January 2013, Sky news reported a story named: South Africa: Women Drinking to Harm Babies. In the story they interviewed a pregnant
Coloured woman from the Eastern Cape who claims that she deliberately drinks alcohol, to ensure that her baby is born with FAS so that she can claim more money from social services (Crawford, 06
January 2013). This disturbing interview was not based on research or evidence, according to The
Daily Maverick (Davis, 2013), but if this was true, could there be a link between the fact that many mothers know about the effects, but still carry on drinking? Certain factors have been identified that increase the risk of giving birth to a baby affected by FASD. These include mothers with a history of substance abuse and/or mental health issues, women who have previously given birth to a child with
FASD, smokers, co-habiting, single women over 25 years of age and recent victims of abuse and violence (Myers & Isralowitz, 2011). Urban et al (2008) includes a few more, such as rarely attending secondary school, below average body mass index and a small head circumference (Urban,
Chersich, Fourie, Chetty, Olivier, & Viljoen, November 2008).
High rates of FAS and related disorders have been found among certain communities in the Western and Northern Cape (Stillerman, 2013) (Nutrition Information Centre, n.d.). Because of the isolation and remoteness of these high risk communities they seldom have access to the specialised help and support they clearly need. For example, health care specialists advise caregivers to the fact that if

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FAS is diagnosed within 1 year of birth, the child is significantly more likely achieve its full developmental potential and have a decreased chance of developing FAS related problems later in life (Davies, et al., 2011). In many cases, genetic and environmental conditions make it hard to break free of the vicious cycle. South African case control studies have shown evidence that most mothers whose babies were born with FAS, themselves grew up in a household with alcoholism, violence and poverty. These mothers in addition, consistently show some symptoms of FASD, such as depression, suicide attempts, low intelligence and criminal behaviour (Rendall-Mkosi, London, Adnams,
Morojele, McLoughlin, & Goldstone, 2008). The Alcoholism Sourcebook (2011) had these facts to share on the role of alcohol in interpersonal violence. “Harmful alcohol use directly affects physical and cognitive function. Reduced self-control and ability to process incoming information makes drinkers more likely to resort to violence in confrontations, while reduced ability to recognize warning signs in potentially violent situations makes them appear easy targets for perpetrators”.
Violence experienced or witnessed can lead to ways of coping like self-medicating with alcohol and prenatal alcohol exposure are linked to the maltreatment of affected babies and/or violent and other behavioural problems later in life (Shannon, 2010).

When a pregnant female consumes alcohol, it affects her and the foetus. The alcohol dissolves quickly into the bloodstream, passes through the placenta and travels to the developing cells of the foetus. Alcohol, or Ethanol, is a central nervous system depressant that slows down the body’s functions and causes damage to the babies’ developing cells, influencing their growth, and decreasing the number of neural pathways in the central nervous system. Alcohol, even in small doses, inhibits the activity of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a key role in cell growth and in controlling brain function (Gonzales & Jaworski, 1997). This inhibitory effect makes post-synaptic neurons less likely to fire and affects how neural messages are sent to and from

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the brain (Stillerman, 2013). The most common parts of the brain affected by alcohol are the
Cerebral Cortex, the Cerebellum, the Corpus Callosum and the Basal Ganglia. Damage caused to these areas that result in the typical behaviour difficulties experienced by FASD sufferers (Wass,
Mattson, & Riley, 2004). The Cerebral Cortex consists of four lobes called The Frontal, Parietal,
Occipital and Temporal lobes. Damage to the Frontal lobe (controls higher mental end executive functions like thinking, problem-solving, speech social behaviours etc.) may result in changes in personality and unacceptable social behaviour, damage to the Parietal lobes (controls body perception and senses) may result in impaired spatial perception and other sensory tasks, damage to the Occipital lobes causes difficulties with visual perception, and damage to the Temporal lobes, causes difficulties with learning and memory (Stillerman, 2013). Inside the community, these behaviours may appear when victims display mental health issues, learning difficulties in the school system, criminal behaviour, alcohol and substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, and maladaptive social abilities (Boggan, 2003). On the physical side, children with full FAS can be recognised by characteristic facial features that were formed in utero because of its underdeveloped brain. Narrow or small eyes, thin upper-lip, low nose bridge and small ears (Nutrition Information Centre, n.d.).
Alcohol also decreases the flow of nutrients to the developing foetus (Stillerman, 2013). The amount of damage caused by drinking depends on factors like how much alcohol, and among others, the developmental stage of the foetus (Boggan, 2003).

Long term alcohol use places a major strain on various parts of your body. Your liver and brain has to work harder to get rid of the toxins. Studies have also shown that your brain becomes dependent on alcohol with prolonged use, and experiences impaired performance without it.
Cirrhosis of the liver is very common among alcoholics, and is the eight most common cause of

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death in the USA (Maisto, Galizio, & Connors, 2011). Diarrhoea is common as well as visible symptoms such as shaking and bloodshot nose and eyes.
South Africa has the highest rate of FAS in the world. This study was done screening grade one pupils from three targeted high risk areas in the Western Province, Northern Cape and Gauteng.
Between 2.7% and 11.9% of them were of these pupils tested positively for FAS and PFAS (RendallMkosi, London, Adnams, Morojele, McLoughlin, & Goldstone, 2008).
The possible reasons for this have been the topic of much discussion, and the one factor that most fingers point to is the controversial “dop” system that was introduced by the first Cape Colony
Farmers.
Part of the farm workers’ wages was paid in alcohol and it is believed that this practice was the onset of their destructive alcohol habits (Albertyn & McCann, 1993). Taking a look at the demographical aspect of the areas where the rate of FAS is highest, one finds that these areas are poverty stricken, have high rates of violence, crime, depression and poor education amongst the inhabitants (Parry, 2013).
The 2nd highest rate of FASD in the world is found in America, among the Native American Indians
(Marais, Jordaan, Olivier, & Viljoen, 2012). An interesting similarity between them and the mixed ancestry race of South Africa, is that they were the original inhabitants of the land they now work on, all the other cultures now present, came from somewhere else, they identify with and belong to established groups. No studies have been done about this observation, but it could contain some insight into the high rate of alcohol consumption.

In conclusion, this paper attempted to give the reader some insight into the prevalence of FAS in general and in a South African context. FAS and how alcohol causes it was
discussed.

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Given the high rate of FAS in some South African communities, possible reasons for this were given.
From these facts were seen that something drastically needs to be done to prevent this debilitating syndrome that affecting communities.
Money and low self-esteem seems to be the major causes of alcohol abuse. Expert’s recommendations are varied, and differ according to the different needs of each community.
The best method of prevention seems to be to educate the woman and to give them easy access to birth control so that they can choose to become pregnant and be prepared, by abstaining from alcohol in advance (Nutrition Information Centre, n.d.). The researcher in her own view, recommends the setting up of halfway houses in high risk areas for woman who is at high risk of giving birth to babies affected by FASD. This could prove very effective, because of the potential to address most of the things that cause women to drink. The women will be safe from domestic violence, have a roof over their heads and nutritious food to eat, no access to alcohol, counsellors to raise their morale, and health care workers to monitor the babies progress. The cost of such a place is justified when looking at what FAS currently costs the government. They would save considerably on possible future costs from having to take care of babies with FASD and the damage their impaired brain functions could cause socially.
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