Section 3- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome There is No Excuse!

Alcohol Drinking alcohol is both socially and culturally acceptable in the U.S. 2/3 of Americans drink alcohol. It is the primary drug abused by youth. 1 out of 8 women of child-bearing age admit to frequent drinking- defined as 5 or more drinks on one occasion or 7 or more drinks a month. The volume of an alcoholic beverage is not a good indicator of the amount of alcohol consumed.

An Ounce of Prevention  2000, 2005 The Curators of the University of Missouri Each of the pictures below contain a different % of alcohol per ounce, when multiplied you can see the total alcohol content.

Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy Alcohol causes damage to the central nervous system (brain and spinal chord) when consumed during prenatal development. The organ most effected is the brain. The effects of alcohol are 100% preventable!

How Does Alcohol Reach the Fetus? Alcohol passes to the fetus through the placenta. The Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of the baby will reach an equal level to that of the mothers. The fetal liver is only able to break down a small % of alcohol unlike the adult liver. Alcohol will remain in the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby for a longer period of time, prolonging exposure.

How Does Alcohol Reach the Fetus? Alcohol is soluble in both water and fat so it can penetrate all cells and body tissues. Blood alcohol levels in women tend to be higher than men, even when the level of consumption is the same. –Due to metabolism, body weight, and fat content. –Women tend to have less alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme that breaks down alcohol.

How Does Alcohol Reach the Fetus? Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can result in: –Miscarriage, stillbirth, birth defects, growth deficiency, and mental abnormalities. No amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.

An Ounce of Prevention  2000, 2005 The Curators of the University of Missouri This graph illustrates the blood alcohol content for mom and baby after 1 drink.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? FAS is the most common PREVENTABLE form of mental retardation in the U.S. There are 4 criteria that have been established to diagnose FAS. Single dose or binge drinking will typically not produce a child will all the features of FAS- but some will or may be present. For a child to have complete FAS, a woman would need to drink regularly during the pregnancy.

Criteria for FAS 1.Growth Problems –Slow growth during prenatal development. –During infancy and childhood, there is no “catch up” period of growth. 2.Characteristic Facial Features –Small Head, small eye openings, long smooth area between the nose and upper lip, and a flat mid-face.

Criteria for FAS 3.Central Nervous System Abnormalities –1 st Trimester Exposure: mental retardation and damage to the main organs. –2 nd Trimester Exposure: Increased risk of miscarriage. –3 rd Trimester Exposure: Growth retardation. 4.Mother drank throughout pregnancy. –Children do not outgrow this condition.

Body build: low body weight disproportionate height for age little subcutaneous fat An Ounce of Prevention  2000, 2005 The Curators of the University of Missouri

Facial features: Small Head Small eye openings Long smooth area between the nose and upper lip Flat mid-face. An Ounce of Prevention  2000, 2005 The Curators of the University of Missouri

Alcohol Exposure & Intelligence FAS ChildrenChildren born to Mothers who Drank during Pregnancy “Normal” Children Average IQ = 63Average IQ = 80Average IQ = Mental Retardation- the degree corresponds with severity of physical deformities. Learning Disabilities- there are many types and causes. Typical or Average Mental Capabilities. Abilities stay constant (no improvement or deterioration over time) May be improvement in abilities over time. Potential for future learning and development.

Discussion You will develop and write your response to the following situation on a piece of notebook paper. Tomorrow some of you will be selected to share your responses aloud- be prepared! Should doctors be responsible for investigating the drinking habits of their female patients that may become pregnant? If so, when should they ask? Explain your answer fully.