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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Alcohol use and abuse during pregnancy is common among women in the United States. A national survey found that 59% of women ages 15 - 44 drank alcohol while pregnant. Sixty-six percent of these pregnant women reported alcohol use in their first trimester, 57 percent in the second trimester, and 54 percent in their third trimester (SAMHA, 1998). Prenatal alcohol exposure can have permanent adverse effects on a developing fetus. There are five classifications of prenatal alcohol exposure and the most severe outcome on the spectrum is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is a clinical diagnosis applied to children who have been exposed to alcohol during gestation and exhibit abnormalities in their physical and cognitive development. To meet the current diagnostic criteria a child must have symptoms in each of the following three areas: (1) growth deficiency (2) abnormalities in facial and skull structure; and (3) central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction (Stratton, Howe, & Battaglia, 1996; Larkby & Day, 1997).
Prevalence and Etiology of FAS
Prevalence
Over the years, researchers have used three different approaches in trying to measure the prevalence of FAS: passive surveillance systems, clinic based studies, and active case ascertainment in a segment of the general population. May and Gossage (2001) discussed the strengths and weakness of each approach and summarized the estimated prevalence of FAS produced by all three. Their findings estimated that the prevalence of FAS in the United States was 0.5 to 2.0 cases per 1,000 births during the 1980s and 1990s. It is significant to point out that not every woman who drinks alcohol during pregnancy will give birth to a child with FAS. Abel (1995) estimated that 4.3 percent of heavy drinkers give birth to an FAS child. Therefore it is important to define the factors that place certain women at risk to giving birth to a child with FAS.
Etiology and Risk Factors...