Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Essay -- Pregnancy Neurology Medicine Papers

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a pattern of mental, physical, and behavioral defects that may develop in the unborn child when its mother drinks during pregnancy. These defects occur primarily during the first trimester when the teratogenic effects of the alcohol have the greatest effect on the developing organs. The symptoms associated with FAS have been observed for many centuries, but it was not until 1968 that Lemoine and his associates formally described these symptoms in the scientific literature, and again in 1973 when Jones and associates designated a specific pattern of altered growth and dysmorphogenesis as the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Rostand, p. 302). The set of abnormalities characterized by Jones included; "intrauterine growth retardation, an unusual facies, psychomotor retardation, and a 25% incidence of congenital anomalies (especially cleft palate and cardiac malformations)" (Luke, p. 3330. The incidence of FAS world-wide, can be illustrated on the basis of the extre me to which the characteristics of mental, physical, and behavioral defects are exhibited in the newborn. Full characteristics are estimated to be present in 1.9 per 1,000 live births, and partial characteristics are evident in approximately 3-5 per 1,000 live births. The incidence of FAS increases dramatically when only alcoholic women are considered to 25 per 1,000 for full characteristics and as high as 90 per 1,000 for partial characteristics (Luke, p. 333). Currently, FAS is the most common cause of birth defects leading to mental retardation. Down’s Syndrome and spina bifida, the other two most common causes, can be identified and managed during pregnancy. Yet, FAS remains the only cause of retardation that is co... ... and Fetal Alcohol Effects". New York: Plenum Press (1984). p. 64. Feld, S. M. "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Prevention Through Education". Medical Student, 19(2), pp. 15-17. Gottesfeld, Z. and E. L. Abel "Maternal and Paternal Alcohol Use: Effects On The Immune System of the Offspring". Life Sciences, 48,1991, pp. 1-8. Kotch, L. E. and K. K. Sulik "Experimental Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Proposed pathogenic Basis for a Variety of Associated Facial and Brain Anomalies". American Journal of Medical Genetics, 44, 1992, pp. 168-176. Luke, B. "The Metabolic Basis of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome". International Journal of Fertility, 35(6), 1990, pp. 333-337. Walpole, I. et.al. "Low to Moderate Maternal Alcohol Use Before and During Pregnancy, and Neurobehavioural Outcome in the Newborn Infant". Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 33, 1991, pp. 875-883.