Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a group of problems that a child is born with. It can happen to any child whose mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. A child with FAS may have mental, behavior (the way they act), or growth problems. His face may not look normal. He may have problems with his bones or body organs such as the heart or kidneys (organs that make urine). If your child is born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, there is no cure. He will have it for the rest of his life.
  
  
• There is only one cause of FAS. It is caused by mothers who drink alcohol while they are pregnant. All types of alcohol can cause damage to your unborn child. These include wine, beer, vodka, and other liquors. There is only one way to prevent FAS. Do not drink alcohol while you are pregnant.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of what medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the pill bottles when you visit your child's caregiver. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Always give your child's medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver. If your child is taking antibiotics (an-ti-bi-AH-tiks), give them until they are all gone. Even if your child seems to feel better.
  
  
• Never give aspirin to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. Giving aspirin to your child when he is ill may cause a very serious illness called Reye's syndrome. Read medicine labels to see if your child's medicine has aspirin.

When is my child's next medical appointment?

Ask your child's caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

What types of problems may my child with FAS have while he is a baby? Your baby may often be fussy or have problems sleeping. He may have many ear infections. He may roll over, crawl, and walk later than other children. Your baby may have problems eating and gaining weight. He may have hearing problems and may not learn to talk as soon as other children. Ask your child's caregiver about specially-trained caregivers and learning programs that can help your child develop.

What can I do if my baby with FAS is very fussy and has trouble sleeping? It is common for FAS babies to be fussy and have problems going to sleep or staying asleep. Some babies are calmed by movement. Others need to be kept still and quiet. Find out what calms your baby. Try the following things:

• Play soft music, such as classical music. Sing softly to your baby.
  
  
• Dim the lights in the room.
  
  
• Try things that have constant motion, such as an automatic swing, or sitting with your baby in a rocking chair. Never shake your baby.
  
  
• Carry your baby in an infant carrier such as a front pack.
  
  
• When your baby is trying to go to sleep, block out noises that may bother or wake him up. Turn on a fan or humidifer to create a low, steady noise. Play an audio tape with nature sounds such as sounds of the ocean or forest. These steady noises may lull your baby to sleep or keep his sleep from being interrupted.
  
  
• If you are very upset and have trouble being patient, take a break. Ask another family member or friend to hold your baby for a while. If no one can help, gently place your baby in his crib and leave his room for 5 or 10 minutes. Then go back to him and try to comfort him again.
  
  
• Wrap your baby securely in his blanket. Do not wrap your baby too tight, or cover his face with the blanket. Be sure your baby is warm enough, but is not sweating.

How can I feed my baby formula or breast milk? Before you leave the hospital, ask your baby's caregiver what brand (type) of formula your baby should drink. Ask how much formula your baby should drink each day. If you are breast feeding, ask how many minutes and how often you should breast feed. Ask these questions at every medical appointment too. Feeding times may be difficult for your baby. The following tips may help:

• Go to a quiet place where both you and your baby can relax during the feeding.
  
  
• If your baby cannot feed well with noise or light, dim the lights in the room. Do not sing or talk to him while he is feeding.
  
  
• If your baby gulps or chokes often, keep your baby's head propped up during the feeding.
  
  
• Give your baby small, frequent (often) feedings. If your baby becomes very upset and fussy, stop the feeding. Help him to calm down and relax, then continue feeding him.
  
  
• Ask another family member or friend to learn how to feed your baby. This will allow you to have time to relax and rest if feeding times are difficult.

What types of problems may my child with FAS have as he gets older? You may not know that your child has FAS until he is older. This is because he may not be diagnosed with FAS by his caregivers until later. Your child may continue to have the problems that he had as a baby. He may need to go to specially-trained teachers and caregivers for help with his problems. Your child may:

• Catch infections such as colds and urinary tract infections often. The urinary tract is a group of body organs that make or hold your child's urine.
  
  
• Have eating problems. Your child may only like to eat small amounts of food at a time. He may be bothered by the way certain foods feel in his mouth. He may not like certain temperatures like hot or very cold foods. Feed your child healthy foods in small amounts. Serve the food at the temperature he likes, such as warm or cool. Try foods that are crunchy, mushy, chewy, and smooth. Learning the types of foods that feel good in your child's mouth may make mealtimes easier.
  
  
• Have problems learning and behaving at school. Your child may have problems learning, sitting still, and paying attention in school. He may have trouble understanding math. Your child may feel anxious or frustrated in school because thinking and learning is difficult. He may have trouble meeting and keeping friends.
  
  
• Get upset very easily. Keep your child calm and secure by having simple rules and a daily routine (roo-TEEN). A routine is a regular schedule of activities that your child can expect each day. Going to places that are new, or where your child does not go often, may upset your child. Before you go, talk to your child about any new place you must take him, such as a new school or church. Tell him about his dentist and medical check-ups before you take him there. This will help your child know what to expect when he arrives. Talking about the new place or visit will help your child be less frightened or anxious. It may help him be more willing to cooperate and follow the direction of his teachers and caregivers.

How can I care for my FAS child?

• Keep all medical appointments. Do not miss your child's medical appointments. If you must miss an appointment, call your child's caregiver to reschedule it. Taking your child to his caregiver often will help keep him healthy. During regular check-ups, caregivers look for problems that may cause your child to have trouble growing and learning. Make sure your child's eyesight and hearing are checked often. If he has problems with these, he may have problems learning to talk in the right way. He may develop more slowly and have trouble learning.
  
  
• Get vaccinations (vak-sin-A-shuns). Take your child to his caregiver for vaccinations (shots). Since your child may get infections easily, he needs these shots to help protect his health.
  
  
• Feed your child healthy foods. While your FAS child is a baby, feed him breast milk or the formula advised by his caregiver. Offer your child healthy food from all of the 5 food groups: fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, meats and fish. Eating healthy foods may help your child grow and develop as well as possible.
  
  
• Put your child in special learning programs. Specially-trained teachers and caregivers can help your child learn to do things faster. These caregivers may help your baby learn to crawl, walk, and use his hands and fingers better. As your child grows, he may need caregivers to teach him to talk correctly and learn better in school.
  
  
• Work with your child at home. Help your child's body and mind develop by doing fun activities with him at home. Read books and sing to your child. Play games with your child. Talk to him and ask him to repeat your words back to you. Show him colorful pictures and do activities that cause your child to use his legs, arms, hands, and feet. Do these things over and over again.

How can I find a support group and more information about FAS?

• FAS can be life-changing for you and your family. Accepting that your child has FAS is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, frightened, or guilty. These feelings are normal. Talk to your child's caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Encourage those close to you to talk to your child's caregiver about how things are at home. Your child's caregiver can help your family better understand how to support a person with FAS.
  
  
• You may also want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have a child with FAS. Ask your child's caregiver for the names and numbers of support groups in your town. Support groups and FAS organizations can help you find activities and special programs for your child. As your child grows, they can help you find the right schools and job training for your child. Contact the following national organizations for more information:
  • National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    900 17th St, NW, Ste 910
    Washington, DC, 20006
    Phone: 1-202-785-4585
    Web Address: www.nofas.org
    
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
    NCBDDD, CDC
    1600 Clifton Rd, Mailstop E-86,
    Atlanta, GA 30333
    Phone: 1-404-498-3947
    Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas
    

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are having problems feeding your FAS child and you feel he is not getting enough to eat each day.
  
  
• Your child has a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• If your child begins to look or act sick.
  
  
• Your child's lips and fingernails turn blue with activity. Your child is short of breath when he is lying down o during exercise or activities. These activities may be feeding from a bottle (in babies) or normal play (in children). These may be signs of a heart problem.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's health, his care, or FAS.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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