Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning.

What is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

FASD is a term that describes a range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother consumed alcohol during pregnancy, including:

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): This is the most severe form of FASD and includes a combination of physical, behavioral, and cognitive defects.
• Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS): This condition is similar to FAS but does not include all of the same symptoms.
• Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND): This condition includes behavioral and cognitive problems, but does not include physical defects.
• Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE): This is a condition that was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) in 2013, which includes symptoms such as attention deficits, behavioral problems, and cognitive impairments.

Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The symptoms of FASD can vary widely depending on the individual and the severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include:

• Physical defects:
  • Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth philtrum (the groove between the nose and upper lip) and thin upper lip
  • Small head size
  • Short stature
  • Low birth weight
• Cognitive and behavioral problems:
  • Attention deficits and hyperactivity
  • Learning disabilities, including difficulties with math, reading, and memory
  • Speech and language delays
  • Social skills deficits, including difficulty initiating or maintaining relationships
  • Mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety
• Other symptoms:
  • Hearing and vision problems
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Seizure disorders
  • Heart defects

Treatments for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

While there is no cure for FASD, early intervention and treatment can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and improve outcomes. Some common treatments include:

• Medications:
  • Stimulants, such as Ritalin, to treat attention deficits and hyperactivity
  • Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), to treat mood disorders
  • Sleep aids, such as melatonin, to treat sleep disturbances
• Behavioral therapies:
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals with FASD manage their behavior and emotions
  • Applied behavior analysis (ABA) to help individuals with FASD develop social and adaptive skills
  • Occupational therapy to help individuals with FASD develop daily living skills
• Education and support:
  • Special education services, such as individualized education programs (IEPs), to help individuals with FASD succeed in school
  • Support groups for individuals with FASD and their families
  • Counseling and therapy to help individuals with FASD and their families cope with the emotional and psychological effects of FASD
• Other interventions:
  • Sensory integration therapy to help individuals with FASD process sensory information
  • Vision therapy to help individuals with FASD improve their vision and visual processing skills
  • Nutritional counseling to help individuals with FASD develop healthy eating habits

Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

The best way to prevent FASD is for women to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant abstain from alcohol completely.

• Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should:
  • Avoid all types of alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor
  • Talk to their healthcare provider about any concerns they have about drinking during pregnancy
  • Seek help if they are struggling with alcohol addiction