fetal alcohol syndrome
The 1990s is witnessing the significant impact alcohol-related birth defects are having on our society. These birth defects are caused by maternal use of alcohol during pregnancy which are irreversible, yet preventable. The most severe outcome, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), to the less easily diagnosed fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The incidence of FAS is estimated at .33 per 1,000 live births. The estimated incidence of FAE is three times that of FAS. With an annual cost of $76.4 million in the United States which only includes FAS, not FAE. The bulk of these costs are associated with mental retardation. It impacts the family, education system, health system and social services in general, as well as individual losses. FAS is considered the most common known cause of mental retardation in the Western World. For a positive diagnosis of FAS, in addition to a history of maternal al
cohol use during pregnancy, each of the following three categories must be present: 2. facial dysmorphology such as thin upper lip, flattened philtrum, and/or short openings between eyelids, and 3. damage to the central nervous system. The permanent damage that is done usually shows itself through behavioral, intellectual and physical problems. These characteristics include: mental retardation, hyperactivity, poor judgement, short attention span and memory difficulties. As damage is permanent, people affected by alcohol related disorders do not outgrow these symptoms. The consequences of these characteristics, together with a frequent disruptive living environment, may put these people at a serious risk for problems such as substance abuse, victimization, early pregnancy, suicide, homelessness and frequent encounters with the law. There is no cure for FAS. Beginning at birth, steps can be taken to
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Approximate Word count = 615
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)
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