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$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
     [phone]

     Fetal Alcohol Education Program
     Boston University School of Medicine
     7 Kent Street
     Brookline, MA  02146
     [phone], [phone]

     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
     [phone]

     Alcoholics Anonymous
     (See the local phone book in your community).

     National Mental Health Association
     1021 Prince St.
     Alexandria, VA  22314
     [phone]

     National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
     1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500
     Arlington, VA  22209
     [phone]

     National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
     311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
     Philadelphia, PA  19107
     [phone]

     NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD 20205
     [phone] or [phone]
     [phone] (24 hrs.)

     International Tremor Foundation
     360 W. Superior St.
     Chicago, IL  60610
     [phone]

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.