Impacts of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Research Paper Example

?Impacts of fetal alcohol syndrome: Introduction: If a woman consumes an excess amount of alcohol, during her pregnancy days, then this may cause Fatal Alcohol Syndrome which is nothing but a pattern of malformation and disabilities. This kind of syndrome will not occur if father is taking alcohol in high dozes r if the mother takes in alcohol in rare occasions and that too in very little amounts. Fatal Alcohol Syndrome can only be caused if a woman drinks heavily consistently or if she does binge drinking occasionally. In United States, it is said that most of the women suffer from mental retardation due to this Fatal Alcohol Syndrome. ( Caley et al. 2005) Due to this Fatal Alcohol Syndrome, children that are born are mostly with less dramatic physical defects but with many of the same behavioral and psychosocial characteristics as those with FAS. Fatal Alcohol Effects are often thought of as lower on a continuum than FAS, but this is not correct. Many individuals with FAE, while looking quite normal, have significant deficits in their intellectual, behavioral, and social abilities which prevent them from leading normal lives. About forty-four percent of women who drink heavily during pregnancy will have a child with Fatal Alcohol Syndrome. Of the other fifty-six percent, some will have Fatal Alcohol Effects, be Fatal Alcohol exposed, to minor learning and behavioral difficulties. A few will be normal apparently. (. (Tubman, 1993). Impacts of FAS on Children: There are certain factors which determine that whether the child will be affected with FAS or FAE. The first factor will be the genetic makeup of the mother and the fetus. It has been observed that many people of a certain population have similar genetic compositions. From various studies and researches, it has been suggested that for example if some individuals of Native American descent do not make enough of an enzyme necessary in the breakdown of alcohol in the liver or some are lacking that enzyme all together, then these individuals would be at genetic risk of passing this trait onto the fetus. A mother's nutritional status and physical well-being might also play roles of varying significance in determining whether an infant is affected, and to what degree, by the prenatal exposure to alcohol. A vivid research is necessary to determine the reason that some developing fetuses are more vulnerable to prenatal exposure to alcohol than others. The knowledge base in this arena needs to be greatly expanded. There is a continuum of effects that can result from maternal prenatal consumption of alcohol. (Olsen and Tuntiseranee 1995). The most common effect that is observed is a rise in the degree of spontaneous abortions which in other word also known as miscarriages. Babies can born with low birth weight, low birth length, and with a small head circumference resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Some of the other effects caused by maternal drinking ranges from an increase in the number of stillbirths, an increase in the number of birth defects, increased developmental delays to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and an increased death rate. If a child needs to be diagnosed for FAS, then the child must have a distinct pattern of facial dysmorphia, growth problems, and evidence of abnormality in his central nervous system (CNS). (Beattie et al. 1983; Caley et al. 2005) Facial Dysmorphia: For diagnosing facial dysmorphia, three facial characteristics are required which is a smooth philtrum, a thin vermillion, and a small palpebral fissures based on racial norms. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008). Growth Problems : A diagnosis of a child suffering from FAS requires confirmation of growth deficits including prenatal or postnatal height or weight, or both, at or below the 10th percentile, documented at any one point in time adjusted for age, sex, gestational age, race or ethnicity.( Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008). CNS Abnormalities: There are three categories on which children with FAS have been diagnosed. One of them is structural abnormalities which consist of head circumference at or below the tenth percentile adjusted for age and sex and clinically the brain abnormalities are more significant through imaging. Another category is the neurological problems which are not due to a post natal insult or fever but there has to be some other neurological disorders against normal limits. Another factor is the functional abnormality that includes performance that is below the substantial expected age of an individual, schooling, or circumstances as evidenced by global cognitive or intellectual deficits representing multiple domains of deficit (or significant developmental delay in younger children) with performance below the 3rd percentile (two standard deviations below the mean for standardized testing) or functional deficits below the 16th percentile (one standard deviation below the mean for standardized testing) in at least three of the following domains like cognitive or developmental deficits or discrepancies, executive functioning deficits, motor functioning delays, problems with attention or hyperactivity, social skills, other, such as sensory problems, pragmatic language problems, and memory deficits. Among all these functional abnormalities, the executive functional problems are the ones which are not even understood by nurses or other professionals who work with children or adults because the cause behind it is coming known to all recently. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Hitchen, 2007).). In the year 2000, according to the National Research Council, the construct of executive functions is becoming better understood, and there has been a growing consensus among researchers as to what executive functions actually is, which is like self-regulation, sequencing of behavior, flexibility, response inhibition, planning, and organizations of behavior. In the year 2003, Fontaine suggested that executive functions of the brain are complex cognitive processes that allow interpreting, analyzing, sorting, and retrieving information about internal and external environments. The evidences of maternal alcohol exposure, either confirmed or obtained from collateral sources, can strengthen the evidence for diagnosis, but it is not necessary in the presence of evidence in the said three categories. The spectrum of effects of prenatal alcohol exposure can vary widely. There are other two terms which are used to describe manifestations in mildly affected children. They are ARND and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). ARND encompasses the functional or mental impairments linked to prenatal alcohol exposure, and ARBD encompasses malformations in the skeletal and major organ systems. The term Fatal Alcohol Effects (FAE) has also been used to describe a child who is suffering from alcohol-related problems, but not affected with Fatal Alcohol Syndrome. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Caley et al. 2005)). Impacts of FAS on developing Fetus: Kids revealed prenatally to alcohol don’t all appear in the similar mode. For other embryo affecting agents, the parturition timing, criticalness and chronicness of revealing to alcohol affect the embryo in various ways. Females who abuse alcohol have many fundamental obstetric health disorders including infertility, miscarriage, chances are high for premature delivery, combined with other adverse aftereffects. Although lots of mechanisms of embryonic alcohol harm have been explained, the ultimate common scheme of ethanol teratogenesis seems as the deleterious impacts on the growing brain and the nervous system. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Caley et al. 2005)). Neurodevelopment Effects- Usually, neurobehavioral anomalies are the mostly observed common impacts of prenatal revealing to alcohol. Figure 2 describes the various parts of the infant brain damaged somehow by revealing alcohol to it. Affected infants often show undeveloped state regulation symptomed as “busyness,” great neuromuscular tone, sleep full of fit and maybe poor feeding. A little grown up kids often show poor memory, manifested in inconsistent performance in school and also difficulties in abstract things or maybe generalizing (building on previous knowledge); poor optical processing as well as central integration concluding in problems in recognizing nonverbal cues (prosody); also central processing problems and may be retrieval which may impact along with their language, concluding in language using difficulties. Seizures are rare outcomes of problems among few kids with FASD. Giving specific significance to FASD are systems of frontal brain, (i.e., the frontal and/prefrontal cortex) that making up the whole neurological ground for executive regulation. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Caley et al. 2005)). The most often mentioned and emphasized disabilities are regarding behavior and society. As there is large variety in the showing of FASD, behavioral and society related problems also vary in a great range. These are mostly identified for kids with complete FAS who are, averagely, mild retarded mentally with low IQ scores like 60. Nevertheless, IQ scores could have a range of 85–115. The criticalness of behavioral anomalies varies depending upon the particular CNS/neurobehavioral damage and also on the factor of previous experiences as well as the freeness of proper preschooling and schooling environments. Generalizing all, including (a) attention deficit or maybe hyperactivity; (b) learning problems, with specific shortcomings in calculation and recalling skills; (c) very particularly language shortcomings; and (d) difficulties along with adapting functions . (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Caley et al. 2005)). The most often mentioned and emphasized disabilities are regarding behavioral and society. Neuropsychiatric studies have revealed deficits in studying and recalling, and in executive functioning also, in kids revealed to alcohol during pregnancy. Aadministrative function, concentration and anamnesis are co-dependent. Examples of home tasks from school that needed well-regulated executive skills for kids i include: -Taking books, papers, as well as tasks. -Finishing homework assignments given by the teacher from school within a hour. -Planning of the school project simple enough like a book report. -Being able to co-ordinate with daily schedule changes. -Behaving self when teacher in class. -Refraining from rude words, temperment tantrums, and ill manners (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008; Caley et al. 2005)). Additional Impacts of FAS: Additionally to the distinguishing facial anomalies seen in FAS, persons having FASD acquaintance an excess representation of cardiac defects, disorders like cleft lip as well as palate, neurological abnormalities like hypoplasia in the corpus callosum, optic defects, renal problems, hepatic problems, hernias, seizures, skeletal defects as well as other physical anomalies. Kids taking birth from mothers who booze are also in a risk from the fact that their mothers drink (e.g., trauma, falls, or malnutrition); genetic exposure to alcoholism in the embryo; as well as the life of an boozing mother and father, which may take to extra negative circumstances for the embryo, pregnancy with the developing baby. ( Kerns et al. 1997) FAS is expensive. The physical wellness costs for persons with FAS as well as FAE are staggering in some cases. If special preferences are required, they are very expensive. Special studying expenses are extremely big, especially when the individual requires to be kept in an extra care facility. The occurrence of FAS has been calculated to be almost 1 to 4.8 per 1000 newborns in the U.S. Additionally to incidence observations, numerous calculations have been created for the financial effect of the treatment of the congenital abnormalities and cognitive drawbacks linked with FAS. Calculations of the yearly financial effect of Fetal Alcoholic Syndrome in the U.S. vary from $74.62 to large as $9.7 billion. FAS in the South Dakota is also quite expensive and its costs from $7.2 to $21.6 million every year. Another study found that the gross lifetime cost just for a kid with Fetal Alcoholic Syndrome in the year 1980 was almost $596,000.3 depending on the occurrence and financial effect of Fetal Alcoholic Syndrome from the books, this situation clearly goes on to be a significant concernment. (Abel, and Sokol,. 1986). The emotional burden on the kin and kid is monumental. This kid is very concerned that few things are "different" regarding him/her. For a good amount of time they simply consider themselves dumb. The maximum of these mother and fathers do a tremendous job of doing work along with loving the affected kid. Many of them are adopted and in good care. (Kerns et al. 1997) Physical, mental, as well as social shortcomings corresponding FAS are less weighing on birth, failure to progress(eat and grow well), an maximized startle reaction, poor waking and sleeping patterns, hyperactivity, easy distractibility and deficiency of attention, impulsiveness, temper problems, stealing as well as stealing are common actions, not so good social skills, poor thinking abilities. Lots of these kids are kept in adoptive and also accommodative care. (Kerns et al. 1997) ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) long with hyperactivity has often been noticed in kids with Fetal Alcoholic Syndrome as well as in physically normal baby born to an alcoholic mother. Majewski presented the report of 2/3rd of every 95 alcohol affected kid he found out were ‘hyperactive’. Shaywitz et al. showed the report that in 82 kids taken to their focus for the learning difficulties, 15of them were hyperactive with their physical constitution having compatibility with Fetal Alcoholic Syndrome and maybe or moms who were boozers during their pregnancy. (Kerns et al. 1997) Few detailed studies have been conducted on speech-language pathology into FAS books, but in the relation of FAS difficulties like this have often been noticed [e.g., 54,65,73,74]. One the elaborate observations on this problem, Larsson et al. showed the report of an occurrence of 40% with 46% speech anomalies in kids born to over boozers, respectively, in comparison to a 15% occurrence between ‘social’ drinkers. For few situations these speech difficulties were effects of divided palate although in several incidents there were visible physical problems absent. Though it is very early yet for estimating the disorders of the speech-language pathology regarding the alcohol consumption of mother in pregnant months, speech-language pathologists have surely been treating such patients. The most important point of the brief report of other anomalies related with important prenatal alcohol revealing which is the reason behind their frequent occurring. (Kerns et al. 1997) As an outcome of their moms risky lifestyles, many FAS having kids have been kept in adoptive and also in prolong foster care at their infancy, normally before anyone knowing that the kid is impacted. Several of these kinds of adoptive as well as foster mom dads have been scold highly for harming the fetus when also they are trying to give the best possible treatment. So we must help them morally not criticize them. (Kerns et al. 1997) Conclusion: The good thing is that the FAS can be prevented completely. Light of knowledge and awareness of all at all stages is needed. Persons in their kid-bearing years, both male and female, require to know the grave harm that can be caused to the fetus for their boozing. That is why everyone needs to know to avoid making such mistakes. The people who provide health care services require knowing much about FAS as well as FAE. Particular "selectives" taking care of this topic are recently prized in 3 medical colleges in U.S. The schools are which offered are the University of New Mexico, Georgetown University, nearby Washington, D.C., lastly the Northwestern University of Chicago, Illinois. (Kerns et al. 1997) Doctors dealing with kids need to know how to give a better diagnosis in this position. Every one of us can contribute a little to help this to prevent in our future and overcome in present. The General advice given by a surgeon to the women going to be mother is that they should avoid alcohol in all means beverages, foods and also drugs. In pregnancy social drinking can be also harmful for their coming baby. Social drinking (1 to 2 drinks per day) is capable of producing an increase in miscarriages, stillbirths, low weight at birth, and abnormalities in behaviors of the newly born babies which can persist throughout their lives. (Kerns et al. 1997) In order to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, it is extremely vital for a pregnant woman to refrain from drinking alcohol at the time of her entire pregnancy, even before she gets to know that she is pregnant. This will require significant changes in lifestyle of women in their reproductive years. Either they have to be very careful regarding alcohol consumption or they need to consistently use a very safe method of birth control. Unfortunately, majority of damages due to alcohol consumption of mothers are done to the developing fetus before the mothers get to realize her pregnancy. Hence, it is absolutely recommended that a woman should be strictly abstained from drinking alcohol before and during her pregnancy period. (Kerns et al. 1997) It can never be too late to refrain from drinking. No matter when a pregnant woman gets rid of her drinking habit, the child will be better off than if she does not stop drinking at all during the entire period of pregnancy. The habit of drinking at the very early stage of pregnancy, even before a woman gets to know about her pregnancy, increases the probability of giving a birth to a baby with growth deficiency or other birth defects. (Kerns et al. 1997) If a woman drinks 0 to 1 drinks every day at the very early stage of pregnancy they, will have a 2% probability of having a baby with growth problems or other birth defects. If, however, that pregnant woman drinks two to three drinks everyday, then the risk level will increase from 2% to 11%.. If a pregnant woman drinks four or more drinks everyday even prior to her knowledge about her pregnancy, then that risk factor of having a baby with growth retardation or other birth problems soars to 19%. (Kerns et al. 1997) However, one thing should be remembered that FAS and FAE are completely preventable. People just require to have knowledge about what drinking at the pregnancy period can do to a developing embryo and the lifelong impact that it can have on a child. The longer a woman wait for abstaining form drinking, the more children will be born with significant birth defects. References: 1. Caley, L. M., C. Kramer and L. K. Robinson. (2005). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The Journal of School Nursing. vol. 21 no. 3 139-146. 2. Hitchen, L. (2007). Doctors Advise Women Not to Drink Alcohol during Pregnancy. British Medical Journal, Vol. 334, No. 7605 p. 1186. 3.Abel, E. L. and Sokol, R. J. (1986). INCIDENCE OF FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF FAS-RELATED ANOMALIES. Wayne State University,. 4. Kerns, K. A., A.Don, C.A. Mateer, and A.P. Streissguth. (1997). Cognitive Deficits in Nonretarded Adults with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome . Journal of Learning Disabilities,; vol. 30, 6: pp. 685-693. 5. Connolly-Ahern, C. and S. C. Broadway. (2008). To Booze or Not to Booze?” Newspaper Coverage of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Science Communication, vol. 29, 3: pp. 362-385. 6. Beattie, J. O., .R. E. Day, F. Cockburn, R. A. Garg. (1983). Alcohol And The Fetus In The West Of Scotland. British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Edition), Vol. 287, No. 6384, pp. 17-20. 7. . Tubman, J. G. (1993). Family Risk Factors, Parental Alcohol Use, and Problem Behaviors among School-Age Children . Family Relations, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 81-86. 8. Olsen, J. and Pitchaya Tuntiseranee. (1995). Is moderate alcohol intake in pregnancy associated with the craniofacial features related to the fetal alcohol syndrome? Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, vol. 23, 3: pp. 156-161. Read More