Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Awareness Week

This week, people around the world are joining forces to create awareness for a disorder that affects newborns and children throughout the world – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The week of September 9th has been named FASD Awareness Week, and on September 9th (the 9th day of the 9th month) bells tolled around the world in an effort to remind women not to drink any alcohol during the 9 months of pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder refers to the all of the disabilities that are caused in unborn babies by exposure to alcohol. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, and birth defects due to prenatal alcohol consumption are all included in FASD.

Alcohol and the developing fetus

In a pregnant woman, alcohol passes through the placenta and enters the fetus’ bloodstream, causing the baby’s blood alcohol level to become the same level as the mother’s. But because a fetus cannot break down the alcohol like an adult can, the level remains higher for a longer period of time. Alcohol in the fetus’ bloodstream can cause the fetus to develop abnormally or fail to develop, leading to retardation or even death. The brain cells and nerve cells are particularly at risk for improper development, causing parts of the brain to even be missing in some cases.

Children with FASD may have physical disabilities such as small or large motor deficiencies, or vision and hearing difficulties. Other children will suffer effects on their learning. Mental retardation, learning disabilities, trouble with problem solving, behavior problems, and memory problems are all results of alcohol on a fetus.

As these children get older, they are likely to suffer long-term effects from things such as depression, alcohol and drug use, and trouble with the employment because of the developmental delays they have experienced.

Solutions

We know it’s a problem; now what do we do? FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western World, but it is also completely preventable. A big push is on now to educate and screen pregnant women for alcohol and drug use, and give them encouragement to prevent this problem.
Many people think that drinking occasionally during pregnancy is ok, but it is important to educate society on the risks of alcohol on the developing fetus. According to a report to Congress from the Institute of Medicine, “Of all the substances of abuse (including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana), alcohol produces by far the most serious neurobehavioral effects in the fetus.” By encouraging health care providers to do routine screenings on pregnant women for drugs and alcohol and educating the public on the issue, there is hope that the occurrence of this syndrome can be reduced.

Article Sources

PA State Health Officials Recognize Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Week The Earth Times Mon, 08 Sep 2008 Pennsylvania Department of Health
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/pa-state-health-officials-recognize-fetal-alcohol-specturm-disorder-awareness-week,531248.shtml

Hines, Lora Prenatal exposure examined August 28, 2008 The Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_exposed29.3a89934.html

Armstrong, Colleen Sept. 9 is Fetal Alcohol Disorders Awareness Day Islands Weekly News.com Sept. 09 2008
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/isw/news/27930644.html

International FASD Awareness Day The FASD Center September 9, 2008
http://fascenter.samhsa.gov/