Pregnant women who consume alcohol can harm the fetus they contain and cause long-term growth disorders and disorders called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). One of the disorders caused by consuming alcohol while pregnant is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Although this syndrome is a health problem that can last in the long term, it is actually very preventable. If you notice the symptoms of FAS in your child, see a doctor as soon as possible to develop a treatment plan to treat the disease.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Step 1. Be aware of the risk of FAS in the child
The main cause of this disease is alcohol consumption. The more alcohol you drink while pregnant, especially in the first trimester, the greater the risk of the fetus developing FAS. By being aware of these risks, you will be able to more easily identify them, get a diagnosis, and get the right treatment.
- Alcohol can reach the fetus through the placenta, causing higher blood alcohol concentrations in the fetus than in your own body. The rate of alcohol metabolism in the fetus proceeds more slowly.
- Alcohol can interfere with the process of oxygenation and delivery of nutrients to the fetus. This can have a fairly serious negative impact on the development of tissues and organs in the fetus, including: brain growth.
- It could be, before the pregnancy is realized, you have consumed large amounts of alcohol so that the risk of FAS in the fetus being conceived becomes very high. Keep this in mind during and after the pregnancy period.
Step 2. Recognize the physical symptoms of FAS
There is a wide variety of physical signs of FAS, ranging from mild to severe symptoms. By identifying these signs, from facial abnormalities to slow growth patterns, you can help diagnose and treat your child.
- These symptoms can be observed before or after the birth of the baby. In addition, certain symptoms can also appear in the future, such as behavioral disorders.
- Facial abnormalities such as dilated eyes, a very thin upper lip, a snub nose and raised upwards, and the absence of a lip fold between the nose and upper lip are examples of indicators of FAS disease. In children who suffer from FAS, the eyes will also look slanted and small.
- Deformed joints and arms or legs can also be indicators of FAS.
- A slow growth pattern, both before and after birth, can also be an indicator of FAS.
- Impaired vision and hearing can also indicate the presence of FAS.
- Small head circumference and underdeveloped brain can be an indication of FAS.
- Heart defects and kidney disease are also indicators of FAS.
- FAS has symptoms that resemble those of other diseases. If your child looks like he has FAS, consult a doctor immediately.
Step 3. Observe the symptoms of the brain and central nervous system
FAS can also cause problems in a child's brain and central nervous system. Symptoms from poor memory to hyperactivity can help identify FAS and get your child the right diagnosis and treatment.
- The coordination and balance system of a child with FAS can be impaired.
- Children with FAS may have intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, poor memory, difficulty paying attention, or hyperactivity.
- Children with FAS may have poor skills in processing information, thinking, and making decisions.
- Children with FAS may also have rapid mood swings or anxiety.
Step 4. Observe for abnormalities in behavior and social abilities
FAS can affect a child's social abilities and behavior. Recognizing signs such as low social skills to difficulty with self-control can help identify FAS and get your child diagnosed and treated appropriately.
- Poor social skills in interacting with others is one of the indicators of FAS.
- A child with FAS may have difficulty at school or in doing something to achieve a goal.
- A child with FAS may have difficulty adapting to change or controlling himself.
- Children with FAS may have difficulty understanding the concept of time.
Part 2 of 2: Getting a Diagnosis and Treatment
Step 1. See a pediatrician
If your child is suspected of having FAS, it is very important to consult a doctor for a complete diagnosis. In children with FAS, early detection and aggressive intervention can reduce the risk of long-term problems.
- Make a list of your child's symptoms so that the doctor can make a diagnosis more easily.
- Tell your doctor if you have ever consumed alcohol while pregnant. Also inform how much and often you drink it.
- If your doctor knows the frequency and amount of your alcohol consumption, a risk assessment for FAS will be possible.
- If you identify the symptoms of FAS and don't report them to your doctor, the consequences can have long-term consequences for your child.
Step 2. Understand how doctors diagnose FAS
Doctors need a certain amount of knowledge in order to provide an accurate diagnosis of FAS in children. By being honest and open, you can help your doctor to diagnose FAS quickly and accurately to help your child as soon as possible.
- Most likely, the doctor will assess several factors in the diagnosis. Examples: how often you drank alcohol while pregnant, your child's physical appearance, and your child's physical and neurological growth and development.
- In addition, the doctor will assess things such as cognitive abilities and problems, health disorders, and social and behavioral problems.
Step 3. Check for symptoms with your doctor
After all the symptoms found in your child are described, the doctor will check for the presence or absence of FAS. Diagnosis can be made with a simple physical examination along with more in-depth testing.
Examples of physical symptoms that will be examined: wide eyes, very thin upper lip, raised flat nose, slanted and small eyes, deformed feet and hands and joints, visual and hearing disorders, small head circumference, and certain abnormalities such as heart murmur
Step 4. Request testing and diagnosis
If the doctor suspects that your child has FAS, after a physical examination, various tests will be ordered by him or her. Such testing can help confirm the diagnosis and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.
- The doctor may order brain tests such as an MRI and a computer tomography scan or CT scan.
- Blood and urine tests may be ordered to help rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms.
- If you are still pregnant, the doctor may direct you for a blood test or pregnancy ultrasound.
Step 5. Request a CT scan or MRI
To confirm the diagnosis of FAS, it is possible that your doctor will offer more in-depth testing. The doctor may request that your child be scanned with a CT or MRI to assess for any physical and neurological abnormalities.
- CT scans and MRIs will produce images of your child's brain and make it easier for the doctor to identify any damage. It can also help him develop a better treatment plan.
- The doctor may order a CT scan, which requires your child to lie still while the technicians take pictures of his brain. This X-ray image can help in better observing the brain and can show the presence or absence of growth or developmental abnormalities.
- The doctor may also order an MRI test, which will also require your child to lie in a large scanning machine for several minutes. An MRI can produce more detailed pictures of the severity of the damage to your child's brain.
Step 6. Develop a treatment plan
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no specific treatment or cure for FAS. The symptoms of FAS, in general, will last a lifetime. However, early intervention can be helpful in reducing the impact of FAS. Preventive measures can even help prevent secondary disability from occurring.
- Know that early diagnosis and intervention is very important.
- Physical and mental deficiencies in children will often last a lifetime.
- Most likely, the doctor will prescribe or offer a medication to help treat some symptoms such as hyperactivity. Various medical treatments for diseases such as heart or kidney abnormalities can also be recommended by him.
- The doctor will recommend providing physical, occupational, and psychological therapy to help your child develop walking, speaking, and socializing skills.
- Your doctor may also suggest giving your child a special education teacher to help them perform better at school.
- In addition, the doctor may also suggest counseling guidance for your family.
Tips
- All pregnant women should undergo a prenatal examination during the period of pregnancy.
- If you are pregnant and still drinking alcohol, stop as soon as possible. The sooner you stop, the better it will affect the fetus.
- The exact cause of FAS is alcohol consumption by pregnant women.
Warning
- There is no safe limit for the amount of alcohol a pregnant woman can drink. Also, there is no safe time to drink alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol can have a very bad effect on the fetus in every trimester.
- All drinks that contain alcohol can have a negative impact on the fetus.
