Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

What is the outlook for fetal alcohol syndrome?

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. By the time the baby is born, the effects of the syndrome are already in place and cannot be reversed. They are different for every person, but these effects can last a lifetime. Treatment by healthcare professionals (occupational therapists, speech pathologists, psychologists) and a stable, nurturing social environment can help reduce and manage the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome to some degree. Some medications can help manage behavioral and other problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome. The specific type of medication varies from case to case.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is part of a group of conditions in which a baby develops long-term complications due to exposure to alcohol, from the mother drinking during pregnancy. These complications include intellectual, physical and behavioral issues.

What are the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome?

People born with fetal alcohol syndrome show a range of symptoms at birth, in childhood and throughout life. Most of the major symptoms have to do with brain damage and can include growth deficits, cognitive and learning disorders, low …

What causes fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by consumption of alcohol by a woman during her pregnancy. The risk to an unborn baby of developing the syndrome is usually higher, the earlier and the more frequently an expectant mother drinks alcohol. However, even …

How is fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosed?

There is no single test for fetal alcohol syndrome. A diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome will be made by the severity of symptoms, including: The distinctive facial features; Brain abnormality or mental problems, and; Growth deficits. If the …

How is fetal alcohol syndrome treated?

There is no cure for fetal alcohol syndrome. By the time the baby is born, the effects of the syndrome are already in place and cannot be reversed. They are different for every person, but these effects can last a lifetime. Treatment by healthcare …

Can fetal alcohol syndrome be prevented?

On an individual level, fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented by not consuming any alcohol during pregnancy. A 'safe' level of alcohol consumption in pregnancy is unknown. On a wider level, prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome focuses on: - …

Are there different types of fetal alcohol syndrome?

There are different degrees of damage that alcohol can do to an unborn child. Fetal alcohol syndrome is at the extreme end of the scale, and there are also other diagnoses such as partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related …

What increases the chances of developing fetal alcohol syndrome?

The risks to an unborn baby from the mother's alcohol consumption are related to three main factors: 1) Quantity - how much alcohol the mother drinks. 2) Timing - at what point in the pregnancy she drinks. 3) Frequency - how …

How common is fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome is found in about one to three of every 1000 people worldwide.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Down syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes physical, developmental and intellectual impairment. Not all characteristics are present in all people with Down syndrome and levels of impairment can vary greatly.…
Diseases & conditions

Progeria

Progeria is a rare genetic disorder that causes a child to age rapidly, giving them an average life expectancy of 13 years. Symptoms begin to appear in the first two years of life. It’s also known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, or HGPS.…
Diseases & conditions

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a group of conditions that affect how a person moves and controls their muscles. It is a result of damage that occurs to the brain before birth, or in the first few months after.…
Diseases & conditions

Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a genetic condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine, an amino acid that plays an important role in metabolism. A build-up of phenylalanine in the body can lead to an intellectual disability.…
Diseases & conditions

Autism

Autism refers to a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder that falls within a spectrum of similar disorders. People with autism spectrum disorder may have difficulties relating to their environment and interacting with people, have limited interests and may show repetitive behaviours and heightened sensitivities. Autism affects almost four times as many boys than girls.…
Diseases & conditions

Cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions in which the two sides of a baby’s top lip or roof of the mouth do not join up during foetal development. Surgery is normally performed to correct the condition, usually between the ages of six months and two years.…

About this article

Author: Dr Bow Tauro PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 12 Oct 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Votes: 738 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Down syndrome

×

Content goes in here.