Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition affecting children born to women who drink heavily during pregnancy. There are three criteria used to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and to make a diagnosis of FAS. The first of these is a pattern of facial anomalies, these features include: ? Small eye openings ? Flat cheekbones ? Flattened groove between nose and upper lip ? Thin upper lip These characteristics can gradually diminish as the child ages, but it is important to note that diagnosis does not change because of this. The second criteria is growth deficiencies: ? Low birth weight ? Decelerating weight over time, not due to malnutrition ? Disproportional low weight to height ? Height and weight below the tenth percentile The third criteria used to diagnosis FAS are brain injury. This includes: ? Decreased head size ? Behavioral and/or cognitive problems such as: mental handicap; learning difficulties; problems with memory; problems with social perception ? Neurological problems (impaired motor skills, poor coordination, hearing loss) A person diagnosed with FAS may show one or more characteristics listed above, and there is a great variability in the outcome. ( McCreight, 1997) Partial FAS is the recommended . . .
( Abel, 1996 ) Without identification or diagnosis, parenting a child with FAS is like trying to find your way around Saskatoon with a map of Prince Albert. A range of resiliency factory also influences the risk of having a child affected by FAS. ? Many youth and adults affected by FAS come in contact with the corrections system ? Those affected by FAS have learning disabilities and behavioral problems that often require extensive and specialized help Diagnosis of FAS is difficult for many reasons. The mothers overall health, age and exposure to environmental toxins such as lead, mercury, and stressful life events associated with poverty and including physical abuse may also increase the risk of FAS. Different FAS features may be linked with the period in which alcohol is heavily consumed. It can also lead to identifying and supporting women at risk to prevent FAS and other alcohol related effects in future children. There is some indication that men’s use of alcohol and other drugs can affect the viability of sperm. FAS may be 100 percent preventable, but alcohol is so much a part of our culture that proactive prevention activities must continue. Assessment of vision, hearing and dental problems can assist in planning an intervention program. These drugs may include: alcohol, narcotics, sedatives, anti-convulsants and others. (Kleinfeld, 1993) The risk of FAS is higher for those who already have a child affected with FAS. Prevalence of FAS and other alcohol related effects in high-risk populations such as First Nation communities may be as high as one in five. Alcohol and drugs are available everywhere in our society, even in supposed protective environments. ( Blume, 1996) Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome NAS describes the presence of withdrawal symptoms in infants exposed to one or more drugs during pregnancy. Some people with FAS are mentally retarded and some are not.
Common topics in this essay:
Syndrome NAS, Prince Albert, FAS Instead, Syndrome FAS, Diagnosis FAS, Prevalence FAS, FAS Kleinfeld, Hyperactive Short, People FAS, Partial FAS, affected fas, birth defects, alcohol drug, alcohol related effects, alcohol related, people fas, related effects, partial fas, diagnosis fas, facial abnormalities, risk fas, fas leading cause, increase risk fas, health alcohol drug, drink heavily pregnancy, |
Acceptance Essays
