Introduction:
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that is seen in children of mothers who drank alcohol during their pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of many conditions that fall under the umbrella of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) which includes fetal alcohol effects(FAE), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder(ARND), alcohol-related birth defects, and partial FAS.( Features and Symptoms of FASD, 2010.) The estimation of the prevalence of FASD occurs in about 10 of every 1,000 live births. It outranks Down syndrome and autism according to Features and Symptoms of FASD in the Alcoholism Sourcebook (2010). FAS cause a myriad of effects that include physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities with …show more content…
According to The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine these features can be seen in other disorders, run in the family or be age appropriate so they are not the only thing that is looked at when making the diagnosis of FAS. The facial features that are often seen in a person with FAS are as follows: skin folds at the corner of the eye (epicanthal folds), a low or flat nasal bridge, a short or small nose, indistinct or smooth philtrum (the grove between the nose and upper lip), small head circumference (microcephaly), small eye opening, small midface, a small chin and a thin upper lip. Physically the subject may have stunted growth and low birth weight as well as some or all of the facial features. They many also have hand crease alterations, small finger and toe nails. Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is often seen. They many also have cleft palates and dental overcrowding seen. Increased or decreased muscle tone is seen. (Seaver & Davidson, …show more content…
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome overview in the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine lists the other characteristics that are looked at when making a diagnosis of FAS having congenital heart defects, hearing loss, spine and joint defects. Often they will have seizure disorders or tremors. Developmental delays, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), poor attention span, poor motor skills, slow language development, intellectual disabilities, and other learning disabilities are often seen in people with FAS.
People with FAS also are seen to have poor memory and judgment. They often have difficulties with daily living, abstract reasoning, and social skills. Some of the behavior and neurological abnormalities are still seen even without any of the facial characteristics. These issues will continue into adulthood and possibly cause problems with mental health and living independently for the person with FAS as well as possibly cause them to get in trouble with the law. (Seaver & Davidson,
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that is seen in children of mothers who drank alcohol during their pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of many conditions that fall under the umbrella of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) which includes fetal alcohol effects(FAE), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder(ARND), alcohol-related birth defects, and partial FAS.( Features and Symptoms of FASD, 2010.) The estimation of the prevalence of FASD occurs in about 10 of every 1,000 live births. It outranks Down syndrome and autism according to Features and Symptoms of FASD in the Alcoholism Sourcebook (2010). FAS cause a myriad of effects that include physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities with …show more content…
According to The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine these features can be seen in other disorders, run in the family or be age appropriate so they are not the only thing that is looked at when making the diagnosis of FAS. The facial features that are often seen in a person with FAS are as follows: skin folds at the corner of the eye (epicanthal folds), a low or flat nasal bridge, a short or small nose, indistinct or smooth philtrum (the grove between the nose and upper lip), small head circumference (microcephaly), small eye opening, small midface, a small chin and a thin upper lip. Physically the subject may have stunted growth and low birth weight as well as some or all of the facial features. They many also have hand crease alterations, small finger and toe nails. Strabismus, also known as crossed eyes, is often seen. They many also have cleft palates and dental overcrowding seen. Increased or decreased muscle tone is seen. (Seaver & Davidson, …show more content…
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome overview in the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine lists the other characteristics that are looked at when making a diagnosis of FAS having congenital heart defects, hearing loss, spine and joint defects. Often they will have seizure disorders or tremors. Developmental delays, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), poor attention span, poor motor skills, slow language development, intellectual disabilities, and other learning disabilities are often seen in people with FAS.
People with FAS also are seen to have poor memory and judgment. They often have difficulties with daily living, abstract reasoning, and social skills. Some of the behavior and neurological abnormalities are still seen even without any of the facial characteristics. These issues will continue into adulthood and possibly cause problems with mental health and living independently for the person with FAS as well as possibly cause them to get in trouble with the law. (Seaver & Davidson,