Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: May 9, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
What is FAS and how do I know who has it?
Signed: What Is FAS
Dear What Is FAS,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a group of physical and mental birth defect occurring in a baby born to a mother who consumed alcohol during pregnancy. There is no known safe level of alcohol use during pregnancy. Children affected by FAS have an abnormal face with a small head, short upturned nose, thin upper lip, and small eyes. They also have behavioral and learning disabilities, impaired intelligence along with some abnormalities of their kidneys, heart and bones. Fetal Alcohol Effect (FAE), a less known alcohol related birth defect caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy, has no outward physical signs but suffer from behavioral and learning problems.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect are lifetime disabilities - they cannot be cured however, with early intervention and vocational training a person with FAS/FAE has a better chance of becoming a functional adult.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect are both 100% preventable. If a woman does not drink alcohol while pregnant, she cannot have a child with FAS/FAE.
You can get additional information on FAS/FAE by going to the National Organization On Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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