What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FAS is a disorder that occurs in infants due to the habit of mothers consuming alcoholic beverages ( alcoholism ) during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome causes symptoms related to physical abnormalities, intellectual and cognitive abilities, and social behavior.

Physical symptoms
Physical symptoms that can appear in FAS sufferers include:

An abnormal face shape, such as small eyes, very thin upper lip, a snub nose and looking up, and no curves above the lips.
Small head and brain circle.
Hearing or vision disorders .
Deformity of joints, arms, legs or fingers.
Disorders of the heart, kidneys or bones.
Slow physical development, both before and after birth.

Intellectual and cognitive symptoms
Symptoms related to cognitive and intellectual abilities are caused due to disorders of the brain and central nervous system. Symptoms that appear include:

Learning disorders, such as difficulty thinking, speaking and counting.
Easily change mood or mood.
Difficult to focus and understand the purpose of information.
Hyperactive.
Poor memory.
Disruption of movement and balance.
Having difficulty in reasoning and solving problems.
Difficulty recognizing the consequences of a decision.

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Symptoms of Social Behavior
Symptoms of social behavior that can arise in FAS sufferers include:

Poor social skills.
It's hard to get along with other people.
Bad time management.
Having difficulty controlling a behavior.
It's hard to focus on work.
Difficulty planning and working to achieve goals.
Having trouble when having to change one job to another.

Causes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by the presence of alcohol in the fetal blood flow. Alcohol contained in the fetus interferes with the supply of oxygen and nutrients, which causes abnormal fetal development.

The habit of consuming alcohol in mothers during pregnancy is the cause of this condition. Mothers who consume alcohol during pregnancy not only can cause FAS in children, but also increase the risk of miscarriage . There is no safe level of alcohol consumption in pregnant women. In other words, too much or little alcohol is consumed, still has the potential to cause FAS.

Unlike the time of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the risks received are also different.

Early trimester. Alcohol consumption in the early trimester can cause abnormal facial growth, and slow the development of the fetus in the womb.
Second trimester. Alcohol consumption at this stage can cause children to have a low IQ, length and abnormal weight at birth, and experience cognitive impairment such as reading and counting.
Third trimester. Alcohol consumption in the third trimester can cause abnormalities in height from birth to adulthood.

Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
In general, the symptoms of FAS are not specific, and often are similar to symptoms caused by other conditions. For example, weak memory also occurs in people with ADHD . There is no examination procedure that can be used to diagnose this condition with certainty. A diagnosis is made by a doctor by asking for a history of alcohol consumption in the mother and checking for signs that appear in the child after birth. Some of the signs examined are:

Face and bone shape
Head size
Growth chart
Vision and hearing
The child's ability to move
Children's speaking ability

Diagnosis is also done by uncovering other possible causes. For example, if a child is at risk of having a hereditary gene disorder, genetic testing can be done, either after birth or from the womb.

Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
There is no specific treatment method to overcome FAS. However, treatment can be done to relieve symptoms, while preventing other additional symptoms from appearing.

Handling should be adjusted to the symptoms of FAS that appear. One of them is the administration of antiarrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone or lidocaine , to help FAS patients who experience heart rhythm disorders. Surgery can also be done for patients who experience visual impairments, such as cataracts.

In FAS patients who experience cognitive and intellectual disorders, the role of parents is very important in their growth and development. For example, if a child has difficulty in learning, it would be better if parents send their children to school in children with special needs, so that children can develop their abilities.

Children who experience behavioral problems need to be addressed correctly. Do the things below:

Understand the strengths and limitations of children.
Apply daily schedule.
Make a simple rule.
Use short and clear sentences in conveying intentions.
Give praise or gifts for appreciating good behavior.
Give lessons about everyday life and socializing.
Maintain the safety of children from the environment or people who can worsen the condition.

Symptoms related to physical and mental forms can be experienced by FAS sufferers for life. Consult with a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment method to relieve it.

Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Eating alcoholic beverages during pregnancy is a major cause of fetal syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol syndrome in infants. Therefore, the best way to prevent this condition is to not consume alcohol during pregnancy. Do the following: