Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) result from maternal prenatal alcohol use. FASD is the #1 preventable cause of mental retardation in the United States. Alcohol is a teratogen disrupting typical development of the fetus and damages the brain of a developing fetus that can cause lifelong disabilities. The areas of the brain affected by prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to a spectrum of disorders, ranging from subtle behavior problems, learning disabilities and neuromotor difficulties to severe mental retardation. The most common disabilities are problems with reasoning, memory and judgment as well as symptoms of AD/HD.
Remember all of these drinks contain the same amount of liquor:
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12 oz. beer
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4 oz. wine
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1 oz. hard liquor
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Physical and Hidden Characteristics of FASD
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FASD Child
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Normal Child
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Physical Characteristics
- microcephaly - flat forhead
- epicanthal (skin of the upper eyelid) folds
- low nasal bridge
- short palpebral fissures - small eye slits
- flat midface
- short nose
- minor ear anomalies set, pointed
- indistinct philtrum (the midline groove in the upper lip that runs from the top of the lip to the nose)
- thin upper lip
- micrognathia - pointed chin
Information Processing
Research now shows that as little as 1-2 drinks a week can affect:
- Memory, especially short-term memory
- Learning and/or integration of new information
- Reasoning
- Judgment
Symptoms
(not everyone has all of these symptoms)
- Tremors/Seizures
- Hyperactivity
- Fine or gross motor problems
- Attention deficits
- Learning disabilities
- Cognitive impairments
- Hearing, vision & speech impairments
- If you are pregnant, don't drink!
- If you're planning on becoming pregnant, I don't drink!
- If you drink and are sexually active, use birth control!
- If you are breast-feeding, don't drink!
- FASD is 100% preventable
- FASD is a leading cause of mental retardation
- Estimates show that 50% of incarcerated suffer from some form of FASD
- FASD costs society $3-5 million per child over his/her lifetime
Nearly one out of ten babies born in Santa Clara County have alcohol and/or illegal drugs in their system at the time of birth. Women need to know the irreparable brain damage Alcohol will cause, and be encouraged to STOP if they are using and abusing. And if there is an addiction problem, they need to be referred to a program that can help them with the abuse.
FASD Resources
National Organizations
www.nofas.org
NOFAS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating alcohol-related birth defects and improving the quality of life for individuals with FASD and their families. NOFAS takes a multicultural approach to prevention and healing and is committed to raising public awareness of FASD. NOFAS works to develop and implement innovative ideas in prevention, intervention, education, and advocacy in communities throughout the Nation.
www.fascenter.samhsa.gov
The SAMHSA Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Center for Excellence web site provides information and resources about FASD. The FASD Center is a Federal initiative devoted to preventing and treating FASD. We also provide materials for raising awareness about FASD.
www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/taskforce.htm
The National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect is hosted by CDC.
Local Agencies
www.php.com
Parents Helping Parents
Meeting children's special needs through Parents Helping Parents. 408.727.5775.
www.sbi.org
Severe Brain Injury
www.via.com
VIA Rehabilitation
Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System Department of Alcohol & Drug Services (DADS). DADS provides a full range of substance abuse treatment services for women and teens. 1-800-488-9919.
Information Provided by Santa Clara County FASD Task Force 1-800-310-2332 FASDtaskforce@yahoo.com
Also check out information on Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Brian
