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Running head: FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (name of student) (school or institution) Outline Introduction The Research Findings & Critique Data Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prognosis Discussion Conclusion Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Although effects of prenatal alcohol use are clearly mentioned even in the Bible, the term fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) has only been known for three decades approximately, after emergence of the first description of a pattern of birth defects found in children of mothers who drank during pregnancy (Krulewitch, 2005, p. 102). According to a definition provided by the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (2005), FAS is the manifestation of specific growth, mental, and physical birth defects associated with the mother's high levels of alcohol use during pregnancy. This paper strives to provide what is nowadays known in this regard, and assess critically some aspects of it. The Research Findings & Critique Data Causes It seems to be common that prenatal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy damages the developing fetus and is therefore a cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 1).
This is because alcohol ingested by a pregnant woman passes easily across the placental barrier to the fetus (U. S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, 2005). Symptoms Among indicators of FAS, the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (2005) list the following: (1) slow intrauterine and neonatal growth with occasional diagnosis of failure to thrive, (2) delayed development as well as any evidence of mild to moderate mental retardation (IQ range from 50 to 85), and (3) facial and skeletal limb abnormalities, tremors as well as agitation and crying in the newborn infant.
Hanson (2007) has additionally pointed out that babies born with FAS suffer also from smaller heads, poor coordination, problems with learning, and short memories. Diagnosis It is generally supposed that diagnosis for FAS can be made throughout the lifespan (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 1). Nevertheless, the majority of people with FAS receive such a diagnosis during childhood. The authors of that publication add that, despite the well-known adverse effects of prenatal alcohol use, children experiencing those effects do often not receive a correct diagnosis because of the absence of any uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria. As a rule, diagnosis of FAS can be made in case the following is documented: (1) three dimorphic facial features, namely smooth philtres, thin vermillion border, and small palpebral fissures, (2) a prenatal or postnatal growth deficit in height or weight, and (3) a central nervous system (CNS) abnormality structural, neurological or functional.
It is also presumed that the diagnosis should be classified on the basis of available history as confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure or unknown prenatal alcohol exposure (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 8). In the same publication, CNS abnormalities associated with FAS are comprehensively described. Treatment It is of obvious note that most authors, when writing about treating this syndrome, do in fact mention, first of all, not therapy as such but rather prevention. For example, the U. S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health (2005) recommend encouraging pregnant women or those trying to conceive to avoid drinking alcohol in any quantity as actually the only approach of treating the syndrome.
In this regard, alcoholism treatment of pregnant women or those who are likely to become pregnant as well as measures to encourage prevention of their pregnancy seem to be effective tools to avoid birth of children with FAS (Hankin, 2002). It is also quite usual to see recommendations to develop appropriate personalized treatment plans (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 4). Most likely, this is due mainly to frequent CNS abnormalities and diverse functional disorders taking place in patients with FAS. Medication may also be needed, when developing a treatment plan, and should definitely be considered. In opinion of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (n. d. ), pharmaceutical intervention may at least mitigate some symptoms of FAS like hyperactivity, sleep disorders, impulsivity, and oppositional behavior.
Unfortunately, limited information is available concerning strategies for interventions specific to persons with FAS (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 6). It is added here that information available is primarily collected from the experience of those with other disabilities and from that of parents gained through trial and error, and shared via informal networks. Treatments used today to reduce the risk for adverse effects of FAS are not evaluated systematically / scientifically . In 2001, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention provided the first federal funding to develop and test systematic, scientifically-developed interventions specific to FAS, for instance, a program to develop peer friendship skills or a modified mathematics curriculum. These projects are not finalized yet. Prognosis According to one generalized opinion provided in a medical encyclopedia (U.
S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, 2005), outcome for infants with FAS is variable depending on the extent of symptoms available, but almost none are usually normal when it comes to brain development (the entry Fetal alcohol syndrome). The authors add that the problems of the infant and child with FAS are very different and markedly difficult to manage. In particular, cardiac defects are possible what may even necessitate surgery.
It is also pointed out in this publication that there unfortunately is no effective therapy for mental retardation, one of the most adverse features of FAS. Discussion The data given above have to some extent represented what we know today about FAS and what the most common view of relevance is. However, there are other opinions and grounded doubts due mainly to the complexity and insufficient studying the problem. One of them is related to the question whether alcohol consumption during pregnancy will inevitably result in FAS irrespective of an alcohol dose.
According to Hanson (2007), many people do falsely believe that even a single drink during pregnancy can cause this syndrome! At the same time, there is absolutely no evidence that light drinking even on a daily basis leads to FAS. He adds that the real problem is found among frequent heavy drinkers, who most often are alcoholics consuming heavily on a daily basis throughout their pregnancies. Reviewing several recent research studies, Hanson (2007) has found the following: A study conducted in pregnant women in eight European countries revealed that consuming no more than one drink a day did not appear to have any effect on fetal growth; a follow-up of children at 18 months of age found that those who drank during pregnancy, even two drinks per day, scored higher in few areas of development. Another analysis covering 7 major medical investigations that involved about 130, 000 pregnancies suggested that consuming 2 - 14 drinks a week did not increase the risk of giving birth to a child with either FAS or malformations.
A large study including 400, 000 American women, all of whom consumed alcohol during pregnancy, was conducted by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and had shown that not a single case of FAS occurred as well as no adverse effects on children were found when consumption was under 8. 5 drinks a week. Moreover, May, Hymbaugh, Are & Samet (as cited in Krulewitch, 2005, p. 123) found that only about one third of babies born to Native American mothers who drank heavily during pregnancy had FAS, whereas almost half appeared entirely normal! The problem is also differential diagnosis between FAS and environmental causes for CNS abnormalities. To assist with this, clinicians should certainly obtain a complete, detailed history for the person and family members what is not always easy and feasible. In addition to ruling out other causes for CNS abnormalities, a complete diagnosis should identify and specify other disorders that can coexist with FAS (like autism, conduct disorder, or oppositional defiant disorder).
Clinicians should also consider organic causes, environmental contributions, and comorbidity for both inclusive and exclusive purposes when evaluating a person for a FAS diagnosis (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 2005, p. 5). There also are serious methodological problems of epidemiological investigations dedicated to FAS (small numbers of pregnant women, high nonresponse, women without phones, the homeless, etc). Measurement of alcohol quantity is also often not consistent across studies (Krulewitch, 2005, p. 124). Finally, the research on the success of FAS prevention programs is still in its infancy whereas prevention efforts can certainly reduce maternal alcohol consumption and improve the outcome of the offspring (Hankin, 2002). Conclusion It can seemingly be concluded that the problem of FAS is very serious and challenging since may be related to heavy adverse medical and social phenomena.
This issue should definitely be explored more intensively and systematically. However, over-estimation and / or misunderstanding of the problem are also quite likely and may lead to incorrect decisions, unnecessary stresses and unjustifiable expenses. References Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. (2005, October 28). Guidelines for identifying and referring persons with fetal alcohol syndrome. MMWR (Vol. 54, No. RR- 11), 1 - 10.
Hankin, J. R. (2002, August). Fetal alcohol syndrome prevention research. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA): Publications. Retrieved April 14, 2007 from web Hanson, D. J. (2007).
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from web Krulewitch, C. J. (2005). Alcohol consumption during pregnancy. In Annual Review of Nursing Research (Vol. 23, pp. 101 - 134).
New York: Springer. National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (n. d. ) FASD intervention. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from web U. S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health. (2005, October 27).
Medical Encyclopedia: Fetal alcohol syndrome. Retrieved April 14, 2007, from web
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Research essay sample on Running Head Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
