$Unique_ID{BRK03736} $Pretitle{} $Title{Fetal Alcohol Syndrome} $Subject{Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Alcoholic Embryopathy Alcohol-related Birth Defects FAS} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1987, 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. 341: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome ** IMPORTANT ** It is possible the main title of the article (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article. Synonyms Alcoholic Embryopathy Alcohol-related Birth Defects FAS General Discussion ** REMINDER ** The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section of this report. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a serious combination of birth defects involving both physical and mental impairments. Extensive scientific research into the effects of alcohol (ethanol) on a fetus has established that use of alcohol during pregnancy poses a serious threat to the health of the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is totally preventable if an expectant mother does not drink alcohol. Symptoms When a pregnant woman drinks alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, or is an alcoholic, a pattern of defects in the fetus may occur at different stages of pregnancy. At birth, babies with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) are unusually small. Length of the baby will be more severely affected than the birth weight. A small head circumference (microcephaly) with mental retardation may be present. A failure to thrive will be noticed with unusually slow postnatal growth. A delay may occur in intellectual development along with impairment of fine and gross motor coordination. Other observable symptoms may include short folds in the eyelids (palpebral fissures), incomplete development of the upper jaw (maxillary hypoplasia), joint anomalies, unusual creases on the palms, possible vertical folds of skin on either side of the nose (epicanthal folds), an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), heart problems and genital defects. Facial characteristics of babies with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome may include a protruding forehead, sunken nasal bridge, short upturned nose, retracted upper lip, receding chin, and/or deformed ears. Babies with FAS often suffer alcohol addiction withdrawal symptoms within twenty-four hours after birth. These may include tremors and/or convulsions, irritability, increased muscle tone, a form of whole body spasm in which the head and the heels are bent backward and the body bowed forward (opisthotonus), increased respiratory rate, abdominal distention, and/or vomiting. Causes In general, babies with FAS can be affected by some or all of these symptoms. The cause and severity of FAS can often be associated with the amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. A woman who drinks a lot of alcohol during pregnancy may have a more severely affected child than a woman who drinks smaller amounts of alcohol. Affected Population Researchers have estimated that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) affects between one and two babies in every 1,000 live births in American families. Between three and five children per 1,000 are partially affected because they have some (not all) of the symptoms of FAS. The Public Health Service is committed to a 25% reduction in the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in the United States by 1990. Although 90% of the public is apparently aware of the dangers of alcohol during pregnancy, the prevalence of FAS in newborn babies is dropping only very slowly. Related Disorders There are many other alcohol and substance abuse related birth defects under study. The association of FAS with upper respiratory abnormalities has not yet been established, but is suspected to play a role in some serious childhood conditions including obstructive breath stoppage (apnea), Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and lung hypertension. (For more information on these disorders, choose "apnea" and "SIDS" as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database). Many types of substance addictions can be passed from a mother to fetus causing withdrawal symptoms in babies shortly after birth. These withdrawal symptoms can be medically treated, but can also result in other serious long term health problems. Therapies: Standard The best treatment for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is prevention through avoiding the use of alcohol during pregnancy. Total abstinence is recommended for pregnant women during the entire nine months since a safe level of alcohol consumption has not been established. Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. There is no evidence that growth of babies affected by FAS can be accelerated by optimum nutritional therapy. Agencies which deal with alcohol addiction and those which provide services to mentally retarded individuals and their families can be helpful and supportive. Special education and related services can enable children with FAS to reach their potential. Therapies: Investigational Research is now underway to carefully study the effects of alcohol on fetuses by the Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health and various other organizations. In order to reduce the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), scientists are trying to develop methods to identify and treat pregnant women with alcohol problems, as well as those who are at risk. Major efforts are under way to gather scientific evidence to determine the stages of pregnancy when alcohol-related birth defects are most likely to occur, and to educate the public and health care providers about the effects of alcohol on unborn children. While some scientists are trying to develop effective ways to detect alcohol abuse and to treat alcohol dependence in pregnant women, others are seeking ways to prevent FAS and other alcohol-related birth defects. This disease entry is based upon medical information available through January 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder. Resources For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, please contact: National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 8923 New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783 (203) 746-6518 Fetal Alcohol Education Program Boston University School of Medicine 7 Kent Street Brookline, MA 02146 (617) 232-7557, (617) 739-1424 U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Public Health Service Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Information P.O. Box 2345 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 468-2600 Alcoholics Anonymous (See the local phone book in your community). National Mental Health Association 1021 Prince St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 684-7722 National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500 Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 524-7600 National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse 311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902 Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 735-2481 NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, MD 20205 (301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752 (800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.) International Tremor Foundation 360 W. Superior St. Chicago, IL 60610 (312) 664-2344 References ALCOHOL RESEARCH: MEETING THE CHALLENGE. NIAAA, National Clearinghouse for Alcohol Information (NCALI) For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. P. 11. ALCOHOLIC MOTHERS AND THEIR OFFSPRING: A.N. Mokhovikov, et. al., ZH Nevropatol Psikhiatr (1986, issue 86(2) ). Pg. 223-229 (Published in Russian). UPPER AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION IN INFANTS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME: A.G. Usowicz, et. al.; Am J Dis Child (Oct. 1986 issue 140(10) ). Pg. 1039-1041.