Patient education: Fetal alcohol syndrome (The Basics)

What is fetal alcohol syndrome? — Fetal alcohol syndrome (also called "FAS") is a condition that causes brain damage and growth problems. It can happen to your baby if you drink alcohol while you are pregnant. Compared with normal babies, babies with FAS tend to weigh less, have smaller heads, and be very fussy. When they grow up, they have lifelong problems with how they think and behave.

Doctors use the term "fetal alcohol spectrum disorder" ("FASD") to describe the problems that can happen in people whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. The word "spectrum" means that some people have more serious problems than others. For example, a child might not have all of the symptoms of FAS, but might still have problems with thinking, learning, or behavior.

What are the symptoms of FAS? — A baby born with FAS has a face that looks different from those of other babies (figure 1). They have:

●A thin upper lip

●A smooth ridge between the upper lip and nose – This area is called the "philtrum."

●Eye openings that are shorter than normal

Babies with FAS also tend to be fussy and are very sensitive to noise.

In children with FAS, symptoms can include:

●"Developmental delays" – This means that they take longer to do things that other children the same age can do, such as walking and talking.

●Being more active than normal

●Having weak, floppy muscles

●Having problems with learning, hearing, and seeing

In teenagers and adults with FAS, symptoms might include problems with:

●Thinking and memory

●Paying attention and concentrating

●Getting along with other people

People with FAS are often not able to keep a job or live on their own.

Is there a test for FAS? — No, there is no test. But your doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your baby or child has it by learning about their symptoms and doing an exam. They will also ask questions about how much alcohol you drank during pregnancy.

How is FAS treated? — The problems caused by FAS cannot be undone. But a treatment known as "early intervention" can sometimes help. Early intervention programs have different types of experts. They will teach you how to help your child do everyday things that they might have trouble doing, such as speaking and learning.

Can FAS be prevented? — Yes. You can prevent FAS by not drinking alcohol if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. No amount of alcohol has been proven to be safe during pregnancy. The best way to protect your baby is to avoid alcohol completely.

More on this topic

Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (The Basics)

Patient education: Alcohol use — when is drinking a problem? (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Risks and benefits of alcohol (Beyond the Basics)