The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy can seriously damage the developing fetus and lead to permanent consequences on the health and development of the baby; all of these issues are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). One of the most distressing changes caused by alcohol intake during gestation is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). It is a pathology that afflicts the child throughout his life, but at the same time it is also the most avoidable congenital physical and intellectual defect. If you notice any symptoms of FAS, take your child to the pediatrician as soon as possible to find a therapy that relieves the disorder.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Be aware of the risk the baby is running
The exact cause of FAS is the mother's alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The more you drink when you are pregnant, especially in the first trimester, the greater the risk of the fetus developing this disease. If you know you have exposed your child to this danger, you can readily recognize the symptoms, get a timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Alcohol reaches the developing fetus via the placenta, where it reaches higher blood concentrations than the mother can have. The fetus metabolizes alcohol at a slower rate.
- This substance interferes with oxygenation and the supply of nutrients to the unborn child, with serious consequences on the formation of its tissues and organs, including the brain.
- You may have consumed large amounts of alcohol before you knew you were pregnant, thus putting your baby at risk of FAS. Consider this detail during and after gestation.
Step 2. Recognize the physical symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome
On the physical plane, there are many different symptoms of varying severity. By identifying these common signs, which range from typical facial features to slowed development, you allow the child to get a formal diagnosis and medical treatment.
- Symptoms can occur while the baby is still in the womb or at birth. They can also only manifest themselves later, for example in the form of behavioral problems.
- Typical facial features that indicate FAS include widely spaced eyes, an extremely thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and no creases between the nose and upper lip. A baby with fetal alcohol syndrome has small eyes with a narrow cut.
- Deformity in the joints and limbs could indicate FAS.
- Slowed development before and after birth could also be a sign of this syndrome.
- With FAS, vision and hearing problems are not uncommon.
- Affected children typically show a reduced head circumference and an underdeveloped brain.
- The heart and kidneys could also be damaged.
- Many symptoms associated with FAS are similar to those of other conditions and abnormalities. If you are concerned that your child has it, it is important to take him to the pediatrician and / or get a second opinion.
Step 3. Look for brain and central nervous system related symptoms
Fetal alcohol syndrome in itself causes brain and central nervous system problems; as a result, the baby may show memory difficulties and hyperactivity. By identifying these common neurological signals, you are able to recognize the disease and ensure that the child receives medical treatment.
- Affected children have poor coordination and poor balance.
- Intellectual disabilities are not uncommon, as are reading disorders, poor memory, attention difficulties or hyperactivity.
- Young patients may not be able to process information, reason logically, and may not have good judgment skills.
- Anxiety and rapid mood swings are a common feature.
Step 4. Look for behavioral and social problems
Fetal alcohol syndrome also occurs in these fields, for example with difficulty socializing or controlling impulses. Thanks to these signals you can understand if your child has FAS and offer him the available care.
- Socialization difficulties may manifest as an inability to get along with others.
- A child with FAS may have difficulty in school, staying focused on a task, or working hard to reach a goal.
- Adapting to change could be problematic, as well as controlling impulsivity.
- The perception of time could be altered.
Part 2 of 2: Getting a Diagnosis and Treatment
Step 1. Take the baby to the pediatrician
If you are concerned that your child has fetal alcohol syndrome, it is absolutely important to see a doctor for a formal diagnosis. If it is recognized early and treated aggressively, the risks of this problem are reduced in the long term.
- Make a list of the symptoms you have noticed in your baby so that the pediatrician can more easily come to conclusions.
- Tell your doctor about your drinking during pregnancy. Tell him how much you drank and how often.
- If you are honest about the amount of alcohol and how often you have taken it, your pediatrician will be able to determine the odds of your baby having FAS.
- If you notice symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome and don't take your baby to the doctor, this behavior will have irreversible repercussions on your baby's health.
Step 2. Learn how the syndrome can be diagnosed
The pediatrician must be quite experienced to come to a definitive conclusion. By being honest and helpful, you can help them quickly diagnose what is affecting the child and thus establish the most appropriate treatment approach in a timely manner.
- The pediatrician will likely need to ascertain a few factors to make a diagnosis, including: how often you drank alcohol during pregnancy, the baby's physical appearance, and his physical and neurological development.
- There are other elements that you will need to consider - the little patient's cognitive abilities and difficulties, his or her health, behavioral and social problems.
Step 3. Review your symptoms with your doctor
Once the child's symptoms are described, the pediatrician will check for signs of FAS. A simple physical exam may be enough, as well as more in-depth tests.
The elements that are taken into consideration are the distance between the eyes, the presence of an extremely thin upper lip, a short nose pointing upwards, small and narrow-cut eyes, deformities of the limbs and joints, problems with vision and hearing, reduced head circumference or heart defects, such as heart murmur
Step 4. Test your child and get a diagnosis
If your pediatrician is concerned that your child has fetal alcohol syndrome, they may order some tests after they have a physical checkup. These tests will confirm the diagnosis and help the doctor establish general treatment.
- Brain imaging tests, such as MRI or computed tomography, are usually ordered.
- Blood and urine tests allow us to exclude other diseases that show similar symptoms.
- If you are still pregnant, your gynecologist will give you an ultrasound and blood tests.
Step 5. Have your child undergo a computed tomography or MRI scan
The pediatrician may confirm the diagnosis with more in-depth tests and then request these tests. In this way, it is possible to establish the physical and neurological problems.
- Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging produce images of the little patient's brain, allowing the doctor to identify any damage and establish a treatment.
- Computed tomography involves the baby lying down and standing still while a technician takes images of his brain. This type of X-ray gives a better view of the organ and shows any developmental problems.
- During the MRI the patient must remain lying and still inside a large scanner for a few minutes. The exam provides the physician with images of the deeper tissues and helps determine the severity of brain damage.
Step 6. Consider therapy
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure or treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome. Many symptoms last a lifetime. However, early intervention can reduce the effects of this disorder and prevent secondary disabilities.
- Remember that early diagnosis and intervention are key.
- Physical and mental disorders often last for a lifetime.
- Your doctor may prescribe or recommend medications to relieve some symptoms such as hyperactivity. It may also intervene to treat health problems, such as heart disease and kidney abnormalities.
- Your pediatrician may also invite you to refer your child for the attention of an occupational therapist, physical therapist, and psychologist to help him talk, walk, and socialize.
- Sometimes the presence of a support teacher is necessary to help him integrate and follow the school path.
- It is often advisable to consult a family counselor.
Advice
- All expectant mothers should undergo routine antenatal care during pregnancy.
- If you are pregnant and drink alcohol, know that it is never too late to quit. The sooner you stop drinking, the better for the baby.
- Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused specifically by the mother's consumption or abuse of alcohol during pregnancy.
Warnings
- Any alcoholic drink can cause harm to the fetus.
- There is no safe amount of alcohol that a pregnant woman can take, just as there is no safe stage of pregnancy where it can be drunk. Alcoholic beverages have negative effects on the fetus in any trimester of gestation.
