UNDERSTANDING PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE

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UNDERSTANDING PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE

• FASD
• FAS

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The U.S. Surgeon Generals Warning

• Alcohol consumed during pregnancy increases the
  risk of alcohol-related birth defects
• Growth deficiencies
• Facial abnormalities
• Central nervous system impairment
• Leading known cause of mental retardation in the
  U.S.
• Behavioral disorders
• Impaired intellectual development
• No amount of alcohol consumption can be
  considered safe during pregnancy

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• Alcohol can damage a fetus at any trimester of
  pregnancy
• Damage can occur before a woman knows that she is
  pregnant
• Alcohol-related birth defects are completely
  PREVENTABLE
• FASD
• FAS

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FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

• Spectrum of disorders caused by prenatal alcohol
  exposure that includes
• Physical disabilities
• Mental disabilities
• Behavioral disabilities
• Learning disabilities
• Range from mild to severe, can last a lifetime

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FAS Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

• Most severe end of the FASD spectrum
• Three major diagnostic criteria
• Distinctive, abnormal facial features
• Growth deficiencies
• Central nervous system problems

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Physical Signs of FAS

• Small head circumference
• Flat midface
• Small eye sockets
• Short nose
• Smooth philtrum
• Thin upper lip
• Low nasal bridge
• Eyelid fold
• Low ears
• Underdeveloped jaw

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Non-Physical Signs of FAS

• Learning disabilities
• Attention deficits
• Hyperactivity
• Poor impulsive control
• Poor social skills
• Language difficulties
• Memory deficits

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Severe Injury to the Developing Brain
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FAS Can Be Diagnosed

• Difficult to diagnose because
• Damage can be subtle
• No one test
• Misdiagnosed
• Genetic environmental factors can cause similar
  disabilities/abnormalities

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Facts

• 1 in 100 babies (40,000 babies annually) is born
  with some effects of prenatal alcohol exposure
• 1 in 1,000 babies is born with FAS
• FAS costs up to 6 billion
• At least 1 out of every 5 pregnant women uses
  alcohol/drugs.

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All Types of Alcoholic Beverages Should Be Avoided

• A standard drink .60oz of pure alcohol
• One 12oz beer or wine cooler
• One 5oz glass of wine
• One 1.5oz shot of liquor
• No safe amount!

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How Alcohol Reaches the Fetus

• When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it moves
  across the placenta into the fetuss bloodstream
  through the umbilical cord.
• Fetuss blood alcohol level twice the amount of
  the mother
• Babies are also vulnerable while breastfeeding
  through the breast milk
• Sperm can also be damaged by alcohol and can
  cause a miscarriage

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How Alcohol Reaches the Fetus
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What Can We Do?

• Stop drinking, if pregnant or could become
  pregnant
• Educate about the dangers
• Help families find medical, county, and community
  resources

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UNDERSTANDING PRENATAL DRUG EXPOSURE
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Drug Categories

• Prescription Drugs
• Nonprescription Drugs
• Social Drugs
• Illicit Drugs
• Dietary supplements

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What is a Teratogen?

• An agent that causes physical or developmental
  defects in an unborn child.
• Alcohol
• Mercury
• Nicotine
• Drugs

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How Do Drugs Reach an Unborn Child?

• Drugs move across the placenta into the fetuss
  bloodstream through the umbilical cord.

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Using Drugs Increases the Risk of

• Prenatal death
• Premature birth
• Miscarriage
• Birth defects
• Low birth weight
• Small head size
• Neurobehavioral symptoms

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Withdrawal Symptoms

• A newborn who was exposed to drugs before birth
  shows the following signs
• Tremors
• Sleeplessness
• Muscle spasms
• Feeding difficulties

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Short-Term Long-Term Effects

• Breathing problems
• Cerebral palsy
• Hearing/vision problems
• Irritability
• Poor fine motor skills
• Reduced cognitive ability

• Lack of social skills
• Delayed language development
• Hyperactivity
• Mood swings/loss of control
• Shorter attention span

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What Can We Do?

• Stop using all drugs
• Educate
• Support from community programs

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A Closer Look at Exposure to Alcohol Drugs

• FAS Manikin
• Drug-affected Demo