Fetal alcohol syndrome, also known as fetal alcohol syndrome, occurs when the mother drinks too much alcohol during pregnancy, resulting in delays in the baby's physical and mental development.
Generally, newborns with fetal alcohol syndrome are small for gestational age and have some features on the face, such as small head, small eyes, thin upper lip, and short nose, as the images show.
The fetal alcohol syndrome has no cure because the lesions that occur in the central nervous system are permanent. However, physiotherapy, medicine, or surgery may be used to decrease or treat certain problems, such as heart disease, hyperactivity, or lack of memory, for example.
Treatment for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome depends on the symptoms of each child, but normally all children need to be accompanied by psychologists and other professionals, such as occupational therapist or speech therapist, to learn how to interact with others.
Thus, children with fetal alcohol syndrome must attend schools adapted to receive children with special needs, where they may have more opportunities to develop intellectually.
In addition, some problems, such as heart disease, may need to be treated with medication intake and surgery, as directed by your pediatrician.
Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Symptoms of alcoholism syndrome, in addition to changes in the face, include:
- Difficulty in learning;
- Problems in language;
- Difficulty in socializing with others;
- Short-term memory problems;
- Inability to perceive complicated instructions;
- Difficulty in separating reality from the imaginary world;
- Hyperactivity or attention deficit;
- Difficulties of coordination.
The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome can be made by a pediatrician through observation of the child's symptoms and behavior. However, it may also be recommended to do diagnostic tests, such as MRI or CT scan to confirm mental development problems, for example.
Useful links:
- Alcohol in pregnancy
- Treatment for Alcoholism
