What is:
Fetal alcohol syndrome, also known as fetal alcohol syndrome, occurs when a woman consumes excess alcohol during pregnancy, resulting in delayed physical and mental development in the baby.
Alcohol passes through the placenta and reaches the fetus causing changes in the baby's central nervous system, which cannot be reversed, in addition to severely affecting its organs, generating consequences such as physical and emotional problems, cognitive and behavioral problems.
Generally, newborns with fetal alcohol syndrome are small for gestational age and have some characteristics such as microcephaly, thin upper lip and short nose, in addition to changes in cognitive and psychosocial behavior and mental retardation.
Fetal alcoholism syndrome (APS) has no cure but resources such as physiotherapy, medication or surgery can be used to reduce or treat some problems, such as heart disease, hyperactivity or lack of memory, when these are present.
Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome
Features of alcoholism syndrome include:
- Difficulty in learning; Language problems; Difficulty in socializing with other people; Short-term memory problems; Inability to perceive complicated instructions; Difficulty in separating reality from the imaginary world; Hyperactivity or attention deficit; Coordination difficulties.
The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome can be made by observing 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. The diagnosis is not easy and depends on the pediatrician's experience, but confirmation of excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can help arrive at the diagnosis.
The woman who had a baby with this syndrome, if she becomes pregnant afterwards may have a healthy pregnancy if she does not consume alcohol during pregnancy.
Treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome
Treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome depends on the symptoms of each child, but usually all children need to be accompanied by psychologists and other professionals, such as an occupational therapist or speech therapist, to learn to interact with others.
Thus, children with fetal alcohol syndrome should 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 and surgery, according to the pediatrician's instructions.
