Impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Research Paper

Impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Research Paper Example 2005) Due to this Fatal Alcohol Syndrome, children that are born are mostly with less dramatic physical defects but with many of the same behavioral and psychosocial characteristics as those with FAS. Fatal Alcohol Effects are often thought of as lower on a continuum than FAS, but this is not correct. Many individuals with FAE, while looking quite normal, have significant deficits in their intellectual, behavioral, and social abilities which prevent them from leading normal lives. About forty-four percent of women who drink heavily during pregnancy will have a child with Fatal Alcohol Syndrome. Of the other fifty-six percent, some will have Fatal Alcohol Effects, be Fatal Alcohol exposed, to minor learning and behavioral difficulties. A few will be normal apparently. (. (Tubman, 1993). Impacts of FAS on Children: There are certain factors which determine that whether the child will be affected with FAS or FAE. The first factor will be the genetic makeup of the mother and the fetus. I t has been observed that many people of a certain population have similar genetic compositions. From various studies and researches, it has been suggested that for example if some individuals of Native American descent do not make enough of an enzyme necessary in the breakdown of alcohol in the liver or some are lacking that enzyme all together, then these individuals would be at genetic risk of passing this trait onto the fetus. A mother's nutritional status and physical well-being might also play roles of varying significance in determining whether an infant is affected, and to what degree, by the prenatal exposure to alcohol. A vivid research is necessary to determine the reason that some developing fetuses are more vulnerable to prenatal exposure to alcohol than others. The knowledge base in this arena needs to be greatly expanded. There is a continuum of effects that can result from maternal prenatal consumption of alcohol. (Olsen and Tuntiseranee 1995). The most common effect that is observed is a rise in the degree of spontaneous abortions which in other word also known as miscarriages. Babies can born with low birth weight, low birth length, and with a small head circumference resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Some of the other effects caused by maternal drinking ranges from an increase in the number of stillbirths, an increase in the number of birth defects, increased developmental delays to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and an increased death rate. If a child needs to be diagnosed for FAS, then the child must have a distinct pattern of facial dysmorphia, growth problems, and evidence of abnormality in his central nervous system (CNS). (Beattie et al. 1983; Caley et al. 2005) Facial Dysmorphia: For diagnosing facial dysmorphia, three facial characteristics are required which is a smooth philtrum, a thin vermillion, and a small palpebral fissures based on racial norms. (Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008). Growth Problems : A diagnosis of a child suffe ring from FAS requires confirmation of growth deficits including prenatal or postnatal height or weight, or both, at or below the 10th percentile, documented at any one point in time adjusted for age, sex, gestational age, race or ethnicity.( Connolly-Ahern and Broadway, 2008). CNS Abnormalities: There are three categories on which children with FAS have been diagnosed. One of them is structural abnormalities which consist