Did you know that foetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable birth defect? Avoiding alcohol consumption the moment you discover that you are pregnant can help prevent a range of risk factors, such as behavioural, intellectual and physical disabilities that can affect your baby’s healthy development. Read on to learn more about the dangers of foetal alcohol syndrome.

What is Foetal Alcohol Syndrome?

There are various risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. However, foetal alcohol syndrome is a permanent condition that poses significant harm to the unborn child. For instance, it can disrupt the development of the foetus, leading to several mental and physical defects.

It’s important to note that foetal alcohol syndrome is a condition that forms part of a group of mild to severe symptoms due to alcohol exposure before birth. These impairments or foetal alcohol spectrum disorders affecting the foetus can range from behavioural, cognitive and physical concerns that are notable as your infant grows. Other foetal alcohol spectrum disorders include:

• Partial foetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS): This affects babies who show central nervous system and growth-related deficiencies but not at the same degree as those who have foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
• Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND): Drinking at any stage of pregnancy results in long-term behavioural, cognitive and learning difficulties.
• Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD): Abnormal mental and physical development affects the bones, organs and senses, affecting facial and bodily structure.
• Neurobehavioural disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE): Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in a mental health disorder characterised by extreme mood swings, anxiety and communication difficulties in babies.

Causes of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Alcohol consumption is the direct cause of foetal alcohol syndrome and related spectrum disorders. Alcohol is made up of harmful substances that are transported through the bloodstream directly to the umbilical cord, which feeds the foetus. Since the foetus is in its development stages, it can’t break down the alcohol and remove it as a waste product the same as the body would post-delivery.

The interference of alcohol with the typical development of the foetus can lead to:

• Abnormal physical growth.
• The disturbance of nerve cell growth affects brain function.
• Constricted blood vessels result in the shortage of nutrients and oxygen through the placenta to the foetus.
• Toxic byproducts are concentrated in the brain and cause damage to the baby’s brain cells.

Symptoms of FAS

There is no safe amount of alcohol consumption that is considered harmless to your unborn baby. The damage can happen at any stage of the pregnancy and affects your baby’s development. Even though the symptoms can vary depending on the baby’s age and stage of development, these are the common symptoms:

• Abnormal facial features such as small eyes and a thin upper lip.
• Low body weight and a small head size.
• Delayed milestone development, including language and speech.
• Poor judgment, memory and reasoning skills.
• Learning disabilities and a low IQ.

Other Risks of Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy

The moment you realise that you might be pregnant, you should consider avoiding alcohol altogether. While foetal alcohol syndrome is the leading risk that affects the baby’s development, these are other related implications:

• A miscarriage within the first trimester.
• Losing your baby in the womb from the second trimester.
• Preterm labour resulting in health concerns affecting your baby’s respiratory system and brain abnormalities.
• Kidney and heart problems.
• Poor hearing and vision.

Management and Treatment Options

The damage caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy is irreversible. Even though symptoms can be managed through various treatment options, they won’t go away. Receiving an early diagnosis and finding effective ways to improve your child’s development is necessary.

If there are behavioural issues, a doctor can recommend medications to help manage the symptoms and lessen the likelihood of complications. Behavioural and education therapies can focus on improving emotional and learning challenges. Most importantly, as a parent, you can be trained to cope with difficulties and adapt your home to a supportive and healthy environment for your child.

The sooner you avoid alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the sooner you can prevent associated birth complications. Speaking to your doctor can help if you find it difficult to quit drinking while pregnant. Affinity Health provides exceptional healthcare coverage with a Maternity Management Programme benefit to ensure your baby stays healthy during pregnancy and detect potential health concerns post-delivery.