What Are Fetal Alcohol and Drug-Related Syndromes?

There is no known safe amount or period of alcohol consumption during pregnancy or even when trying to get pregnant.

Alcohol exposure (any amount) during pregnancy can pass through the umbilical cord and damage the developing fetus by:

• Interfering with the normal development of the nerve cells.
• Killing cells in different developing parts of the fetus causes intrauterine growth retardation.
• Constricting the blood vessels, slowing down the blood flow to the uterus, and eventually leading to decreased oxygen and nutrient supply to the fetus.
• Accumulation of toxic by-products in the brain cells that cause severe damage.

The effects of this condition vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe.

A person with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders may have physical, intellectual, and cognitive disabilities and problems functioning and coping with day-to-day activities.

• Physical problems:
  • Low body weight
  • Small head size
  • Slowing of physical growth
  • Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
  • Vision or hearing problems
  • Problems with the heart, kidneys, or bones
  • Short stature
  • Deformed limbs, fingers, or joints
  • Abnormal and distinctive facial features such as:
    • A smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip called the philtrum
    • Thin upper lip
    • Short and upturned nose
    • Small eyes
• Mental health problems:
  • Brain and central nervous system problems may include:
    • Poor coordination
    • Difficulty balancing
    • Hyperactive behavior
    • Difficulty with attention
    • Poor memory
    • Developmental delays
    • Learning disabilities
    • Speech and language delays
    • Intellectual disability or low intelligent quotient
    • Poor reasoning and judgment skills
    • Frequent mood changes
• Social, behavioral, and functional problems:
  • Difficulty in school
  • Difficulty getting along with others
  • Poor social skills
  • Trouble switching from one task to another
  • Issues with behavior and impulse control
  • Poor concept of time
  • Problems focusing on a task
  • Difficulty planning or working toward a goal

Other than fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS; the most severe form), fetal alcohol spectrum disorders involve other drug-related disorders such as:

• Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder: This condition may cause intellectual, behavioral, and learning disabilities including difficulties with math, memory, attention, and judgment, and poor impulse control.
• Alcohol-related birth defects: This condition may lead to problems with the heart, kidneys, bones, or hearing.
• A neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure: This condition can cause thinking and memory issues, behavior problems, and trouble with day-to-day activities including problems with bathing, dressing, and playing with other children.
• Partial fetal alcohol syndrome: This condition has similar characteristics to those of FAS but does not have all the symptoms.

There is no specific medical examination or blood test available for a confirmed diagnosis of this condition; however, a diagnosis can be made based on the following:

• History of prenatal alcohol exposure
• Mental health examination (central nervous system problems such as small head size, problems with attention and hyperactivity, and poor coordination)
• Physical examination (lower-than-average height, weight, or both and presence of typical abnormal facial features)

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are preventable by avoiding alcohol exposure before and during pregnancy.

Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure available for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and they last a lifetime.

Early intervention and treatment can improve a child’s development through options such as:

• Symptomatic relief through medications such as antidepressants, antianxiety, stimulants, and neuroleptics
• Behavior, education therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy
• Parent training (loving, nurturing, and stable home environment during school years)
• Other alternative approaches (involvement in special education and social services)

Three conditions that resemble fetal alcohol syndrome include:

1. Autism spectrum disorder
2. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
3. Williams syndrome