It is essential to speak with a doctor as soon as possible if a child shows signs of FAS. Early identification can improve the outcome for children with FAS and raise their quality of life. However, there is a lack of research to confirm the effectiveness of these therapies. Before trying any alternative therapy for FAS, parents or caregivers should speak with the child’s pediatrician or a doctor who specializes in FASDs. FAS is a type of disability, and it does not have a cure. However, with early identification and support, children with FAS can learn important skills that can aid their development.
Alternative treatments
And from that, they told me that it was shaken baby syndrome. So that meant that my baby had been violently shaken. So obviously, it was a very difficult thing to hear, and I was really distressed by the health of my baby. He had surgery, and fortunately he was fine after that.
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome is on the severe end of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD is a range of conditions in the child caused by the mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. If only two features are met, partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) is confirmed.
- These can be a good source of advice and they may be able to connect you with other people in a similar situation.
- Early diagnosis and early intervention significantly improve long-term outcomes for people with FASD.
- However, the only way to prevent FAS is to avoid drinking beverages containing alcohol during pregnancy.
- It is best to speak with a doctor who specializes in FAS, such as a developmental pediatrician, clinical geneticist, or child psychologist.
How is fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosed?
These are a group of conditions present at birth that can happen when a pregnant person drinks alcohol. Investigators and doctors work together along with parents and caregivers to try to determine what led to the infant or child’s condition. Bruising, fractures and retinal hemorrhages may support a diagnosis of child abuse, specifically shaken baby syndrome. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has designated specific drugs for treating the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol in babies.
Health Conditions
- It’s important to make an early diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome.
- However, there is a lack of research to confirm the effectiveness of these therapies.
- As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies.
- Quit drinking if you are trying to get pregnant or if you think you’re pregnant.
However, early treatment of some symptoms can lessen the severity and improve your child’s development. I mean, we have this change of name that has been more or less accepted by everyone, even though the term shaken baby syndrome is still quite widely known in the public. So there was this big push for doctors to really report as many drunken baby syndrome children as possible to the authorities whenever they have the slightest doubt on abuse. The narrow claim that shaking a baby abusively can result in certain internal injuries morphed into the claim that if a set of internal injuries were present, then shaking must be the cause.
- There’s no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy, and there’s no type of alcohol that is safe.
- FASDs may have similar symptoms to other disorders and are often misdiagnosed.
- You do not need to wait for a healthcare provider’s referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call.
- Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome.
In this article, we look at why FAS occurs and its symptoms, treatments, and risk factors. We also discuss how people can prevent FAS and when to see a doctor. Parents and siblings might also need help in dealing with the challenges this condition can cause. This help can come through talk therapy or support groups. Parents can also receive parental training tailored to the needs of their children. Parental training teaches you how to best interact with and care for your child.
The risk of FASD increases with the amount consumed, the frequency of consumption, and the longer duration of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, particularly binge drinking. The variance seen in outcomes of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is poorly understood. Diagnosis is based on an assessment of growth, facial features, central nervous system, and alcohol exposure by a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
You may inform alcoholism the pediatrician if you were consuming alcohol during pregnancy for early diagnosis. Do not wait for the onset of symptoms to seek medical help (6). Remember that no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy.
What causes fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?
- The term FASDs is not meant for use as a clinical diagnosis.
- The topic of false confessions in general—not just for a shaken baby, but for any type of crime—has been known for decades.
- No blood test or other medical test can diagnose FASD.
This is because a woman could get pregnant and not know for up to 4 to 6 weeks.
