The Field Of FSD Research (FASD)

Although throughout the United States activist and educational campaigns have flooded U.S citizens with education on the detrimental effects of maternal alcohol consumption, women are still continuing to consume alcohol while pregnant. Fifty three percent of non-pregnant woman drink alcohol, and despite health warnings, twelve percent of pregnant mothers in the United States still consume alcohol (Pruett &Waterman & Caughey, 2013, p. 62). Fetal alcohol exposure is also believed to be widely underreported in the United States (Pruett et al., 2013, p. 66). Current research concludes that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption, nor a safe time during gestation for alcohol consumption to take place (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome [NOFAS], 2014). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term used for the various conditions that maternal alcohol consumption causes. Although each case of FASD can present differently, cognitive disabilities, facial deformities, and growth retention are a few of the hallmark adverse effects that alcohol has when it enters fetal circulation (Paley & O’Connor, 2011, p. 64). The United States is impacted economically by these debilitating conditions as well, as it costs our nation $746 million dollars annually to care for these children (Bhuvaneswar, Chang, Epstein & Stern, 2007, p. 3). Nurses in America, and across the globe have a key role in helping to eliminate, and minimize adverse effects of these conditions

Alcoholism is a real threat to pregnant women. In particular, there is a huge rise in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) cases, which is when an unborn fetus actually becomes addicted to and dependent on alcohol passed from the mother. In 1996, only 0.5 to 3.0 cases were confirmed for every 1,000 pregnancies, but today, that number is a staggering 20 to 50 cases per 1,000

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a concise, uniform definition for conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD is a broad term used to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy (Caley, Kramer, & Robinson, 2005). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can also cause growth retardation, birth defectscomma and deficits in cognitive, languagecomma and motor development (Coles et al., 2015). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a teratogenic effect, which is caused by daily, chronic, heavy and frequent alcohol use while in utero. Chances of an infant diagnosed with FASD are 0.5 to 3 in 1,000 live births (Cone-Wesson, 2005). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has many different diagnoses. There is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS)comma and alcohol-related neuro-developmental disorder (ARND)comma all under the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder umbrella (Brown et al., 2015). Maternal alcohol use is correlated to the timing, frequencycomma and quantity of the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Drinking during the first trimester may not be as detrimental as drinking during the second or third trimester. The frequency of alcohol consumed is also a key factor in FASD, such as how often per day drinks are consumed, the quantity of alcohol consumed, and how many glasses or cans per day the mother consumes

Since FAS is such a prevalent problem, researchers have had to come up with different way to try and help prevent it. The most prominent solution to FAS is making the people aware of the consequences of drinking while pregnant (Hankin). Most people do not think about how drinking does not affect just them or they just simply don’t care. Even though most people are aware that they are not suppose to drink while pregnant it is crucial that warning signs are put up and labels are put on all alcoholic products (Hankin). This will hopefully make those that are drinking conscious of their decisions and have no excuses for their action. Because most people

The term “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders” (FASDS) is used to describe the numerous problems associated with exposure to alcohol before birth. Each year in the United States, up to 40,000 babies are born with “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders” (FASDs) (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration). Additionally, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders (FASDs) comes with effects that range from mild to severe. These effects include mental retardation; learning, emotional and behavioral problems; and defects involving the heart, face and other organs. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the patterns of drinking that place a baby at greatest risk for FASDS are binge drinking and drinking seven or more drinks per week (Surgeon General). However, FASDS can occur in babies of women who drink less. There is no way of measuring how much alcohol one can consume before defects occur, and no proof that small amounts of alcohol are safe. As little as one drink a day can cause a baby some degree of harm and interfere with their normal development.

“Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications” (HHS, 2005). FASD refers to conditions such as: fetal alcohol syndrome including partial FAS, fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol related neurodevelopment disorder, alcohol-related birth defects. The conditions that are involved with FASD can range from mild to severe and it is not likely that two people share the exact same symptoms.

FASD is a disorder that can very simply be avoided. Cause: Alcohol consumption or smoking during pregnancy. Solution: No alcohol or smoking during pregnancy. Symptoms are widely ranged and each person behaves differently. Two people diagnosed with the same disorder may react in two very different ways depending on their personality.

Every year, about 40,000 babies are born with symptoms of prenatal alcohol exposure (Lupton, 2003). This number will only continue to grow if the risk of drinking alcohol while pregnant is not brought to the people’s attention. When the mother takes a drink of alcohol, so does the fetus, which will cause physical and behavioral problems after birth. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is completely preventable and irreversible. FAS awareness and prevention is important; expectant mothers need to know the background information about the syndrome, some common symptoms, signs, and treatments, and the mental and physical abnormalities that will occur because of this lifelong syndrome.

They are able to run tests with an ultrasound, and for a clearer picture, MRI’s and CT scans are used to diagnose the severity of the child’s disability.  Fetal alcohol syndrome is irreversible, but there are treatments for the symptoms. For example, if a child has a difficult time learning how to walk, a physical therapist could assist the child in taking the first steps. For those with mental disabilities, like difficult with self control, reasoning and understanding, executive function training is an option. Some women still choose to drink during pregnancy, and it is recommended to drink less than one to two unit of alcohol, no more than one to two times a week, there is a less of chance of the child being born with FAS. as there is no evidence of harm at this level. They are also advised that binge drinking may harm the baby. “However, Department of Health (DH) guidelines released for consultation in January 2016 look set to advise that the safest course is for women to abstain from alcohol altogether during pregnancy” Drinking during pregnancy is the only to prevent FAS, so women who are trying to get pregnant should avoid drinking, and those who are pregnant should be aware of the effects alcohol has on a child and not

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) refers to a group of physical and mental birth defects resulting from a women’s drinking alcohol heavily or at crucial stages during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was first named and treated in the late 1960's. This condition results from the toxic effect of alcohol and its chemical factors on the developing fetus. FAS is the leading cause of mental retardation occurring in 1 out of every 750 births. The frequency of FAS occurs about 1.9 times out of every 1000 births according to the latest figures, and minor effects can be seen in up to 20% of pregnancies per year. This number changes drastically for women who are clearly alcoholics. As high as 29 children out of every 1000 births will suffer from FAS

Most women are not aware of the many complications that can occur during pregnancy. Many pregnant women continue drinking right throughout their pregnancy, ignoring the fact that they could damage, and pose problems to themselves and well as there fetus. According to many physicians FAS is a leading cause of mental retardation and birth defects. In the United States, one in 500 children reported are diagnosed with FAS. On the Indian reservations the numbers

would not be able to live a normal life for the rest of its life. The

ELMIRA (WENY) - Trinity of Chemung County is working to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) as Septemeber 9 is FASD Awareness Day. This day is used to remind women not to drink alcohol during their pregnancy.

A young offender with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can be very vulnerable whether we realize it or not. The level of their comprehension can be lower than others without the disorder and can cause them to struggle with things that are simple to us like complying with law authority during an arrest. With that being said, Kaitlyn McLachlan, Ronald Roesch, Jodi L. Viljoen and Kevin S. Douglas did a study on young offenders with FASD in hopes to raise awareness of the necessity to aid the individuals. The research included reliable methods that would prove their intellectual and academic levels were highly lower than individuals without FASD. The four hypothesized that the young offenders with FASD would show more limited skills than the young offenders without FASD. Their results showed the young offenders with FASD scored significantly lower than the other young offenders, making their hypothesis correct. McLachlan, Roesch, Viljoen and Douglas proved that it would be significant to mark individuals with FASD as ones who would highly benefit from assistance.

FASD can easily be prevented. If a mother does not consume alcohol during pregnancy, her child will not suffer with FASD. It can easily be prevented, but precautions are not being put in place to prevent FASD. Since interventions are not being used, the health care system is left to pay the costs. Doreen, M. R., Bonnett, D. M., & Gass, C. B. (2006) notes that FASD has been studied ever since the 19th century but has been “poorly understood and largely overlooked.” In the past (Doreen, M. R., Bonnett, D. M., & Gass, C. B. 2006). Since the behaviours and outcomes of FASD have been neglected, there has not been the