Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

            Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is the most leading known preventable cause of development and physical birth defects in the United States.  Each year in the United States, one in every seven hundred and fifty infants are born with F.A.S.

Some physical defects these children are born with are low birth weight, small head circumference, smaller eye openings, and flattened cheekbones.  These features stay with the child for the rest of their life.  In fact, the child’s mental defects intensify as the child grows into an adult.  These mental problems such as health problems, troubles with the law and being independent, poor memory, development delay, behavioral problems and poor motor skills, all exponentially tend to get worse as the child grows.

            It is well known for a pregnant woman not to consume too much alcohol when carrying a baby, but how does one know how much is too much?  Unfortunately, there is no evidence that can determine how much alcohol can be taken in throughout the whole nine months.  The reason for that is all women process alcohol differently, depending on age, if she had anything to eat or how often they drink.

            Drinking during the first trimester has the worst effects on the child’s development growth and is more likely to develop Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  This is because the brain in the fetus is just starting to develop and with alcohol is present it makes it more difficult for everything to go smoothly. But overall, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in infants is a very preventable disorder.  It is always a healthy and smart decision to stay away from alcohol when pregnant and to get tested for the disease as well so the child can get as much help as needed in the earlier stages.

Stephanie Aboody