Essay On Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a scary yet prevalent issue in today’s world. Nearly 1.9 out of every 1,000 babies is diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Here in the United States the numbers are even higher with 2.2 babies out of every 1,000 diagnosed with this disorder. When the mother is a heavy alcohol user the number jumps up to 71 out of 1000. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a serious issue that will carry lifelong negative effects on the child (Phelps & Grabowski, 1992). Drinking while pregnant is very detrimental to the development of a growing fetus. Many women who are of child-bearing age drink without even realizing what they could be causing. 50-60% of women in this age bracket drink alcohol regularly. Sadly many of them are pregnant and don’t even know it or know that they are pregnant and still choose to drink (Richter & Richter, 2001). Women who drink heavily, such as 3 or more drinks a day, are very likely to have a child with symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Even women who have a single day of binge drinking (which includes 6 or more drinks in one day) during the first trimester of pregnancy may have a child who is born with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. A binge episode of this sort during the third trimester can still cause lifelong neurological and behavioral issues. (Phelps & Grabowski, 1992).

These babies are born with a smaller head circumference and have a lower birth weight and height. Children born to mothers who drink alcohol are also much more likely to be born with cleft palate. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome babies often time have a specific look of facial abnormalities. They also can have skeletal malformations and poor immune systems. On the contrary, babies born with Fetal Alcohol Effects do not necessarily have any visible signs like those born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Richter & Richter,