The Effects Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome On Infants - 3388 Words

Professor Sandmire Bio 440 30 April 2015 The Effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome on Infants Abstract Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused when women during their pregnancy drink alcohol and cause developmental problems that can affect the fetus and infant for the rest of his or her life. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause facial abnormalities, mental retardation, and a significant decrease in overall growth of the fetus.1 There are numerous studies about prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome, and its effects on physical, neurological, and socioemotional functions of children. Many studies highlight that the risk of fetal alcohol increases by the amount of alcohol a woman drinks during her pregnancy. Many studies also support the idea that the more alcohol that is consumed during pregnancy, the greater the severity of the associated abnormalities that are found in the child. Because there is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome, researchers have tried to achieve successful prevention plans by studying several options that could be implemented. The work that has been done to try and help child ren who have fetal alcohol syndrome is extensive but allows for further research.2 Introduction Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that develops in a child when a woman drinks alcohol during a pregnancy.2 It is usually characterized by many abnormalities like deficient growth, cognitive dysfunction that usually causes behavioral and mental issues, and a very specific set of facialShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome On The Children850 Words   |  4 Pagescare for their infant inside and outside of the womb. The nurse will need to educate parents on lifestyle changes that will promote optimal health in their infant. The nurse will determine education based on the parents’ lifestyles and habits such as cessation of smoking and drinking of alcoholic beverages. This paper will aim to further educate individuals in regards to what fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is, how to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, the side effects of fetal alcohol syndrome during infancyRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome And Its Effects1712 Words   |  7 Pages Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its Effects On a Child’s Cognitive Development Dane D. Hrencher Kansas State University Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its Effects On a Child’s Cognitive Development Alcohol is known as one the most dangerous teratogens. Every time a pregnant woman drinks, she allows alcohol to enter her blood stream and make its way into the placenta. Unlike the mother, the fetus is unable to break down alcohol that makes the blood alcohol level of the fetus the same orRead MorePrenatal Development And Development Of A Fetus1591 Words   |  7 Pagesthe age and nutrition of the mother, exercise, and stress levels. On behalf of environmental factors that can have a negative effect on growth and development of the fetus, teratogens which are substances in the environment that can have a harmful effect on the development of the fetus (Stein, Kline Kharrazi, 1984) are the main environmental threats. The detrimental effects of teratogens depend on many different factors such as the amount of exposure that the fetus is in contact with, heredity, andRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome The Effects of Alcohol on a Fetus During Pregnancy1727 Words   |  7 Pages Fetal al cohol syndrome (FAS) is caused by fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy and is characterized by specific patters of fetal deformities. Researchers are unsure at what stage in the pregnancy these malformations occur or the amount of alcohol consumed to cause these deformities. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation that is preventable. There are usually three factors pertaining to a diagnosis of FAS: â€Å"the presence of prenatal/postnatal growth retardation, craniofacial anomaliesRead MoreWhy Pregnant Substance Abuse Should Be Treated As A Major Issue1441 Words   |  6 Pagesreasons why pregnant substance abuse should be treated as a major issue. The effects of substance abuse on the mother, fetus, and the overall pregnancy can range from none to extremely harmful. Women who use drugs during their pregnancy commonly give birth to â€Å"crack babies† or â€Å"drug babies†. These babies can have developmental disabilities or other birth defects. The m other may give birth to a premature infant, underweight infant, or even have a stillborn birth. The drug use of a pregnant woman has aRead MoreFetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay1522 Words   |  7 PagesFetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a disorder that can happen to children whose mothers drank sufficient amounts of alcohol sometime throughout their pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a condition classified in a group called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, and is the most known and severe of the group. FAS, depending on the factors such as location, population and race studied is considered one of the leading known causes of mental retardation and birth defects, with 0.2 – 1.5 out of every 1Read MoreIn Today’S Society Healthcare Is Changing Rapidly, Mainly1099 Words   |  5 Pagesthat should be addressed is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The valuable information found within so many resources allows for better prevention of FAS, patient centered care, and quality of care for not only the mother, but for the fetus as well. It is important to be able to have access to all types of resources, know how to interpret the information they are providing, educate the patient, and put it into practice in order to put an end to issues like Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. One of the issues thatRead MoreThe Effects Of Alcohol And Its Effects On Children856 Words   |  4 Pages Alcohol plays a major role in today’s society. Everywhere we look, something is advertising alcohol. Alcohol is consumed for many purposes, whether it be for a celebration, out of boredom, or a way to relax. Alcohol has very damaging effects. Not only does alcohol cause self-inflicted diseases, but it harms unborn fetuses as well. Many women drink alcohol before they realize they are pregnant. One of the most severe effects alcohol causes an unborn fetus is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal AlcoholRead MoreThe Effects Of Air Pollution On Reproductive Health1376 Words   |  6 PagesAny agent that disrupts embryo development or fetal development is known as Teratogens. Teratogens can stop the pregnancy outright, or in cases of full term pregnancies, cause birth defects to the child. Some categories of teratogens are environmental and subjective teratogens. Environmental teratogens relate to environmental factors that cause birth defects or termination of a pregnancy. Subjective teratogens are substances in which the mother consumes that cause defects to the child or also terminationRead MoreHumanity Has Always Yielded To The Pressure Of Different1128 Words   |  5 Pagesdamage obtained was the next step. It seems that only now, when the number of the diseases caused by different substances has reached its peak, people have finally understood that the best â€Å"Cure† is the prevention of any forms of substance abuse. Alcohol is not the last one on the l ist of theses destructive substances. It is the â€Å"companion† of any significant event occurring in the life of modern people or even an everyday way to relax and get away from all the difficulties. People relax and forget