Foetal alcohol syndrome

INCIDENCE

  • Surprisingly, it is believed that one in every one hundred kids born in Western countries will be affected by this syndrome in some way.
  • This incidence can differ from one location to another based on the drinking habits of the population of that particular area.
  • If the mother has particularly strong drinking habits while she is pregnant, there is a chance that as many as one in three of her offspring will be affected to some degree by those practices.

HISTORY

  • Only relatively lately have the particular traits displayed by infants who were born to mothers who drank heavily while they were pregnant been detailed in detail in great depth.
  • There is a lack of consensus regarding the quantity of alcohol that must be consumed before any discernible effects can be noticed in the developing child.
  • The vulnerability of both the mother and the baby to the effects of alcohol will also play a role in the outcome of this situation.

CAUSATION

  • Because alcohol and its byproducts are able to cross the placenta, they are able to have a negative impact on the health of the growing kid.
  • Long after the alcohol has been flushed out of the mother's system, the unborn child will still be susceptible to the negative effects of the alcohol since it lacks the enzymes essential to easily "detoxify" these chemicals. In addition to this particular direct consequence, there might be a number of other indirect complications.
  • Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol can result in a number of negative side effects, including malnutrition, dehydration, and a placenta that is unable to perform its normal functions.
  • The developmental issues manifest themselves in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the maximal laying down of vital organs happens, even before the woman herself is aware that she is pregnant.
  • This is when the complications start.
  • The severity of the issue will be determined not only by when during pregnancy alcohol was consumed, but also by the total amount of alcohol consumed.
  • Therefore, it is essential that all women who harbor the possibility of conceiving a child in the not-too-distant future exercise self-discipline with regard to their drinking habits.
  • The defects that result from this cause are most likely one of the learning disabilities that can be avoided with the least amount of effort.

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Babies that are born to moms who drink heavily frequently fall into the category of being "light for dates."
  • That is, they have a lower weight than would be expected for the amount of time they have been pregnant.
  • In addition to this, they are frequently born too soon.
  • These infants also grow at a slower rate during the first few months of life, and they do not "catch up" to their peers in terms of weight and length as the majority of premature infants do.
  • Babies that are born with foetal alcohol syndrome tend to have quite distinctive facial characteristics.
  • The forehead is often thin, and the eyes are typically quite small, with drooping eyelids that give the illusion of being tired.
  • Long and smooth, the upper lip lacks the characteristic "rosebud" look that is common in infants.
  • The lower jaw can sometimes be somewhat compact.
  • Learning disabilities are common, yet they are not unavoidable in every case.
  • During the first few weeks of life, many infants exhibit irritability. In later years, they are prone to become overactive and easily distracted.
  • There have also been reports of delays in speech.
  • There is a wide range of these effects, but all infants who are exposed to excessive doses of alcohol before birth will show developmental delay and most likely will not attain their full genetic potential.
  • This is true regardless of the child's genetic background.
  • There is a possibility of hearing loss as a result of a specific dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, which is the little tube that connects the back of the throat to the middle ear.
  • Other potential side effects include an increased risk of squints, an increased propensity to contract infections of any kind, and the possibility that newborns will have a lot of hair already on their bodies.

MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

  • Children that are diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome will have a height that falls under the lower centiles of the growth charts, and there is very little that can be done to speed up the children's development.
    • This continues all the way through childhood.
  • Learning disability requires constant monitoring of the individual's progress in all areas of development.
  • The first indication to diagnosis, and hence to subsequent development, can be found in a child who is falling behind in certain areas of the normal growth process.
  • To guarantee that the kid is able to realize his or her full potential, a more thorough evaluation of the areas in which a delay has been identified should be conducted, and the relevant assistance should be provided.
  • When dealing with speech delay, speech therapy is frequently required.
  • When an infection of any kind takes place, it is imperative that it be treated as soon as possible and in an appropriate manner; nevertheless, the infections most commonly associated with the respiratory system are the ones that fall under this category.
  • Due to the possibility of issues with the Eustachian tube, one's hearing should be evaluated on a frequent basis and should continue to be examined on a consistent basis.
  • After a bout with a cold, it is extremely important to do this.
  • The general care and nutrition of infants whose moms have a drinking problem should be at the forefront of the minds of health providers throughout childhood.
  • It's possible that the mother needs assistance not only to get over her drinking problem, but also to provide proper care for her child.
  • Social workers and health care professionals need to work together closely to ensure that the child's safety, health, and development are not negatively impacted by an ongoing drinking issue that may or may not exist.

THE FUTURE

  • This is very dependant on the level of care that was provided during infancy and childhood, in addition to the intensity, or lack thereof, of the consequences that were caused by the alcohol.
  • Also, unless the parents are able to be convinced to give up their excessive drinking habits, the child, via imitation, can easily grow up to follow a pattern that is comparable to their parents'.
  • There is a significant need for increased information on the risks associated with drinking heavily while pregnant.