User:Mr. Ibrahem/Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. Symptoms can include an abnormal appearance, short height, low body weight, small head size, poor coordination, low intelligence, behavior problems, learning difficulties and problems with hearing or sight. Those affected are more likely to have trouble in school, legal problems, participate in high-risk activities and have problems with alcohol or other drugs. The most severe form of the condition is known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Other types include partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). Some accept only FAS as a diagnosis, seeing the evidence as inconclusive with respect to other types.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are caused by a mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Surveys from the United States found that about 10% of pregnant women drank alcohol in the past month, and 20% to 30% drank at some point during the pregnancy. About 3.6% of pregnant American women are alcoholics. The risk of FASD depends on the amount consumed and the frequency of consumption as well as at what point in pregnancy the alcohol was consumed. Other risk factors include older age of the mother, smoking, and poor diet. There is no known safe amount or time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. While drinking small amounts does not cause abnormalities in the face, it may cause behavioral issues. Alcohol crosses the blood–brain barrier and both directly and indirectly affects a developing baby. Diagnosis is based on the signs and symptoms in the person.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are preventable by avoiding alcohol. For this reason, medical authorities recommend no alcohol during pregnancy or while trying to become pregnant. While the condition is permanent, treatment can improve outcomes. Interventions may include parent–child interaction therapy, efforts to modify child behavior, and possibly medications.

FASD is estimated to affect between 1% and 5% of people in the United States and Western Europe. FAS is believed to occur in between 0.2 and 9 per 1,000 live births in the United States. In South Africa, some populations have rates as high as 9%. The negative effects of alcohol during pregnancy have been described since ancient times. The lifetime cost per child with FAS in the US was $2,000,000 in 2002. The term fetal alcohol syndrome was first used in 1973.