Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused when alcohol consumed by the mother crosses the placental barrier into the fetus.  This causes the fetus’s blood alcohol levels to rise approximately to the level of the mother’s; however, some babies of mothers who drink are born normal (Nadakavukaren, 2011).   Health care professionals are not sure why this happens, but they do know there is a direct link between drinking alcohol while pregnant and fetal alcohol syndrome.  As fetal alcohol syndrome affects 1-3 out of every 1000 pregnancies, it is the top known leading cause of intellectual disabilities (Nadakavukaren, 2011). 

Diagnostic criteria have remained fairly broad and include selected facial malformations, central nervous system abnormalities, and mental retardation (CDC, 2004).  A fourth diagnostic criterion is the mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy.  As these criteria may differ from child to child in severity, it is sometimes difficult for the health care provider to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome.  Also, some of the criteria may have other causes; for example, ADHD may be triggered by a food allergy or short stature may be genetic.  Diagnosis will remain difficult until there is a standard set of criteria for fetal alcohol syndrome.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is different from other birth defects in that it is directly related to the alcohol consumed by the mother during pregnancy.  No level of alcohol is deemed safe for women who are planning a pregnancy or who are already pregnant as any level of alcohol can cause fetal alcohol syndrome to one degree or another (Nadakavukaren, 2011).  In 1989, labels on alcoholic beverages began listing a warning to pregnant women.  Even though the dangers are known, approximately one in eight women admit to drinking during pregnancy, which means the warnings are not being taken seriously (Nadakavukaren, 2011).

The effects of fetal alcohol syndrome are irreversible; this is a life-long condition.  However, it is avoidable if the mother abstains from alcohol during pregnancy.  Also, the effects will vary in degree and type depending on when the mother is drinking alcohol, and even as little as one drink could cause some degree of fetal alcohol syndrome.  For this reason, it is important that women who may become pregnant abstain from drinking alcohol as well.

A public health official who wishes to reduce the incidences of fetal alcohol syndrome could begin by educating women that even one drink is dangerous.   Many women are under the assumption that one or two drinks will not harm the fetus; however, findings show that any amount of alcohol could be dangerous.  This needs to become common knowledge for women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant, and it needs to be given the same urgency as bug spray or toxic household cleaners. 

There are very few advertisements in print or on television that outline the dangers of alcohol on a developing fetus.  Most of the information is given by health care providers who may not be fully educated on the subject (CDC, 2004).  While these health care providers are becoming more educated as more information on the subject is discovered, there are still many misconceptions about alcohol and pregnancy.  Most pregnant women understand that they are to be out of the house when the exterminator is around or that they should not be changing the kitty litter during the pregnancy, but many of these same women will have a glass of wine with supper without thinking about the risk to the fetus.  Perhaps if there were a more public campaign on the dangers of even one drink while pregnant, fewer pregnant women would drink.

CDC (2004)  Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:  Guidelines for Referral and Diagnosis.  Retrieved on May 9, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/documents/fas_guidelines_accessible.pdf

Nadakavudaren, Anne (2011) Our Global Environment: A Health Perspective, 7^th edition  Waveland Press, Inc:  Illinois