Everyone knows that during pregnancy it’s essential to take special care with our diet and routine, as well as giving up certain habits that can affect the baby’s development. However, even knowing this, some women risk the health of the baby they are carrying in exchange for moments of “pleasure,” out of addiction or even just to have fun, forgetting about the serious consequences this can bring. One of these consequences is fetal alcohol syndrome.

Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, occurs due to heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy and even before conception. It is characterized by a set of symptoms that the baby may show throughout life, and others right after birth. The main ones are:

  • Microcephaly;
  • Small eyes;
  • Thin upper lip;
  • Short nose;
  • Delayed physical development;
  • Delayed mental development.

Babies affected by fetal alcohol syndrome are usually born smaller than average and are classified as below gestational age. Their weight gain may be delayed, and they may present with vision and hearing changes. Neurological changes that result in seizures are also noted.

The symptoms identified and assessed by pediatricians generally include issues with growth, development, craniofacial anomalies, skeletal tissue anomalies, heart disorders, and a variety of other conditions, including strabismus, hearing loss, smaller than average teeth, and umbilical hernias.

IMPORTANT: The exact amount of alcohol capable of affecting the baby’s development and causing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is not known. That’s why the best option is to avoid all alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, just to be sure.

Over the years, the baby’s development is also affected. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome tend to have low IQ, display learning difficulties, have memory and language impairments, and present with attention deficit. Due to all this, they may also have socialization difficulties, especially in their school years.

How to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is unfortunately quite complicated, as there is no specific test to determine the syndrome. In addition, the symptoms are very similar to those of other syndromes and disorders and can be easily confused.

It is necessary to provide the entire pregnancy history to the pediatrician, and to analyze the symptoms in detail in relation to alcohol consumption and conception. Along with a clinical evaluation, the symptoms and changes observed by family members must be reported so that an accurate and safe diagnosis can be reached and treatment can begin promptly.

Once the symptoms and behavioral aspects of the child have been analyzed, the pediatrician may request tests to complement the diagnosis, such as an MRI or a CT scan, which can detect damage to mental development.

How to Treat

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome, but there are treatments for the symptoms it causes. These include medication, some of which may be controlled, behavioral therapy, and training for parents to help them cope with the child’s difficulties.

These are the first steps for appropriate treatment, but they are only successful when combined with a strong family environment, parental support, consistent education, patience, and specialized medical follow-up.

In cases of seizures or heart conditions, stricter and more specific follow-up is required. To improve motor development, follow-up with a physical therapist is needed, while to improve behavioral and social conditions, an occupational therapist and a speech therapist play a fundamental role in teaching the child to interact with others and with the world.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is not always diagnosed early. This can worsen the child’s development due to lack of specialized monitoring. In many cases, the mother may deny drinking alcohol during pregnancy, or the symptoms may go unnoticed by the pediatrician due to lack of cooperation from parents and family.

Some babies experience alcohol withdrawal, just as occurs with babies born to mothers who use drugs. This withdrawal usually subsides over the months, and if it is not reported to the pediatrician, it can make it even more difficult to reach a diagnosis or even suspect the syndrome.

Risk Factors for Developing the Syndrome

Some points are identified as risk factors for developing fetal alcohol syndrome. The main one, as mentioned above, is alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It is not known for sure what the minimum amount is that can cause the syndrome, but it can be said that even a small amount of ethanol crossing the placenta can cause irreversible harm to the developing fetus.

Studies indicate that the risk of developing the syndrome is highest with alcohol intake during the first trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus is forming. Drinking alcohol regularly, three or more drinks at least twice a week brings a high risk of being born with the syndrome.

According to research, in most cases mothers had started drinking alcohol early, still during adolescence. They had also had two or more pregnancies before, with a history of premature birth.

If you like to drink socially or every day and are planning to have a baby or have just found out you are pregnant, now is the time to slow down and take care of yourself! The future and health of your baby depend entirely on you and your care.

See Also: Alcoholic Drinks During Pregnancy – What to Avoid?

Photo: Mbragion