Fetal Alcohol Syndrome :: essays research papers

Fetal inebriant syndromeThe 1990s is witnessing the signifi natest impact alcohol-related blood defects argon having on our society. These birth defects are constituted by maternal practise of alcohol during pregnancy which are irreversible, yet pr unconstipatedtable. The near severe outcome, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), to the less dumb diagnosed fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The incidence of FAS is estimated at .33 per 1,000 live births. The estimated incidence of FAE is three times that of FAS. With an annual cost of $76.4 million in the United States which only includes FAS, not FAE. The bulk of these costs are associated with moral retardation. It impacts the family, education system, health system and social services in general, as well as individual losses. FAS is considered the most common known cause of mental retardation in the Western World. For a positive diagnosing of FAS, in addition to a history of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, each of the following three categories must be present 1. slow growth before and after birth including weight, height and/or caput circumference, 2. facial dysmorphology such as thin upper lip, flattened philtrum, and/or short openings between eyelids, and 3. damage to the central nervous system. Diagnosis can be difficult because m each of the critical diagnostic features change with age. It is most difficult to diagnose in newborns and adults. Reaching an FAE diagnosis is even more difficult because only some of the symptoms are present, and possibly not as visible. This disorder cannot be detected by genetic scrutiny because the damage is done after the baby is born.It is not known how some(prenominal) a meaning(a) woman can safely drink without detrimental the fetus, although heavier drinking increases the likelihood of damage. Also, there does not seem to be any time during pregnancy when it is safe to drink. As a result, it is generally recommended that pregnant women abstain from drinking. Chi ldren born later to alcoholic m separates were at greater run a risk than older siblings. Another variable is the fact that drinking alcohol whitethorn not be the only risk-taking behavior of the mother. Poor nutrition, poor health, smoking, and other drug use may also contribute to poorer neonatal outcome. in that location is still a lot to be learned about how alcohol causes damage to the fetus, as well as the timing of exposure. Alcohol affects galore(postnominal) organ systems, including the brain, which develops throughout all trimesters of pregnancy.