Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it? 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.

What causes FAS? 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 baby. These include wine, beer, vodka, and other liquors. There is only one way to prevent FAS. Do not drink alcohol while you are pregnant.

Is it safe to drink a small amount of alcohol during pregnancy? There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Caregivers cannot tell you how much or what kind of alcohol may be harmful or safe. This is because each baby is affected by alcohol in a different way. Even a small amount of alcohol increases the risk of birth defects (problems) in your baby. It is best not to drink alcohol at all during your pregnancy. It is even better to stop drinking alcohol before becoming pregnant.

How does alcohol affect my unborn child? When you drink alcohol, your unborn child drinks it too. The same amount of alcohol that you drink goes from your blood into your unborn child's blood. The more you drink during pregnancy, the greater the danger to your unborn child. Drinking alcohol during early pregnancy may cause your unborn child's internal organs not to develop (form) correctly. Throughout pregnancy, drinking alcohol can slow down normal body growth. Alcohol damages an unborn child's brain more than any other body organ, and this damage is life-long.

What does a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome look like? Your child may be born with some or many problems. If you drink alcohol during pregnancy, your child may have the following problems:

• Your child may be shorter and weigh less at birth. His head may be smaller than normal.
  
  
• The middle of your child's face may be slightly flat. He may have extra skin at the inner corners of his eyes. These are called epicanthal (eh-pee-CAN-thul) folds. He may have short lower eyelids and a low-set or small nose. His ears may look different and he may have a small jaw.
  
  
• Your child's body organs, such as the heart and kidneys, may have problems. Your child may have eyesight (seeing) or hearing problems. He may have speech (talking) problems when he is older.
  
  
• Your child may have a low IQ (not as smart as others). Your child may have problems learning in school. He may have thinking and memory problems. Learning math may be difficult for him. Your child may have a hard time controlling how his body moves. He may have long-term problems with the way he behaves. These problems may include being too active ("hyper"), nervous, or not able to pay attention. He may have problems making and keeping friends.

Is it too late to stop drinking if I am pregnant? It is never too late to stop drinking to help your unborn child grow and develop. Your unborn child will have a much greater chance of being OK if you stop drinking now.

Can I drink alcohol until I get pregnant?

• If you are trying to conceive (make a baby), it is best to stop drinking now. Often women do not know they are pregnant until they have symptoms of pregnancy. Your unborn child may be 1 or 2 months old before you even know you are pregnant. Your unborn child's brain and body organs form during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. If you are drinking alcohol during this time, you may cause your child to have FAS.
  
  
• If you drink alcohol and are sexually active, do not have unprotected sex. Use birth control regularly to keep from getting pregnant.

Can I drink alcohol if I breast feed my baby? Alcohol quickly passes through your blood stream and into your breast milk. Your baby gets this alcohol when he breast feeds.

How can I get more information about FAS? You may contact the following organizations:

• 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
  

What can I do if I want to stop drinking?

• Talk to your caregiver, close friends, or family members if you want to quit drinking. You may also want to join a support group for people with alcohol problems. Such a group can give you support and information.
  
  
• Write or call the following organizations for more information.

• Alcoholics Anonymous
  Web Address: http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.
  

• National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
  22 Cortlandt St., Suite 801
  New York City, NY 10007-3128
  Phone: 1-212-269-7797
  Phone: 1-800-622-2255
  Web Address: http://www.ncadd.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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