September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness about FASD prevention and celebrate the strengths, skills and achievements of those living with FASD. You knew about it one in 20 school-aged children in the United States (or 5%) may have FASD? FASD refer to a range of disorders caused by alcohol exposure during pregnancy that involve physical, cognitive or behavioral problems in the affected individuals. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most severe manifestation of FASD, characterized by distinct facial features, developmental deficits, and central nervous system problems.
People with FAS may have problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision, hearing, or a combination of these problems. While FAS is the most recognizable, it represents only one part of it wider range of disorders. Understanding FASDs is vital for expectant parents and the community. Not only does it raise awareness of the potential dangers associated with drinking alcohol during pregnancy, it also promotes healthier choices that can lead to better outcomes for future generations.
The main cause of FASDs is alcohol consumption by a pregnant person. It doesn’t exist known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancyand even small amounts can be dangerous. Alcohol easily passes from a pregnant woman’s bloodstream into the developing baby’s bloodstream.
Prenatal alcohol exposure is a major preventable cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States. The severity of FASDs can vary based on several factors, including: the time of exposure to alcohol, the amount consumed and the frequency of consumption. Every pregnancy is unique and the effects of alcohol exposure can vary greatly from person to person.
FASDs can lead to a range of cognitive impairmentsincluding learning difficulties, attention deficits and difficulties controlling impulses. Common physical characteristics of individuals with FAS include distinct facial features (such as a smooth philtrum and thin upper lip), growth deficiencies, and other anatomical abnormalities.
Often they are also behavioral issues, such as hyperactivity and social challenges. People with FASD are also at increased risk of developing mental health conditions and substance use. It is important to note that symptoms can vary widely person-to-person and experienced across the lifespan, making early diagnosis and personalized support essential to improve outcomes.
The safest approach to ensuring a healthy pregnancy is to stop using alcohol before you get pregnant. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can disrupt the baby’s brain development, leading to lifelong consequences for cognition, behavior and physical health. Understanding these effects is essential for prevention and support.
Only people exposed to alcohol before birth can develop FASD. Since about half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the US Surgeon General recommends that people who are pregnant, may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant do not drink any alcohol.
Stigma prevents pregnant women from seeking support for alcohol use and may also prevent them from diagnosing their children with FASD. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program provides ways to ask pregnant women about their alcohol use in a way that encourages honesty, reduces stigma, and helps them to receive the support they need.
It is it’s never too late to stop drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Because brain development takes place throughout pregnancy, stopping alcohol use at any stage will improve the baby’s health and well-being. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition that occurs when drinking alcohol causes serious problems. The two guys evidence-based therapy for AUD are behavioral therapies and medications. Medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) have been shown to be extremely effective helping people with AUD to stop alcohol use and maintain abstinence.
Early detection of FASDs is critical to provide appropriate interventions and support, which can significantly improve the quality of life of affected individuals. FASD diagnosis it includes a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and neurodevelopmental assessments. It often requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure accurate diagnosis and support.
Although there is no cure for FASDs, early intervention and comprehensive treatment planning can greatly improve the quality of life for those affected by the symptoms of FASDs. Treatment usually includes a combination of medical care, behavioral therapy, educational support and family support.
And while there is no drug to treat FASD itself, medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms such as hyperactivity, anxiety, depression or seizures. Although the use of medication may be unavoidable in many children with FASD, it is important to exercise caution when prescribing. Medications should not be the sole substitute for non-pharmacological interventions such as parent education, parent-child interaction therapy, self-regulation support, school-based interventions, developmental therapies, social skills interventions, and community support. Treatment services for people with FASD are most effective when they are strengths-based and address an individual’s specific impairments and needs.
People living with FASD can thrive and live successful, self-directed lives with planned and appropriate support from families, friends, community and health care systems. However, discriminatory practices lead to disparate FASD outcomes. Bias may affect how FAS is documented in medical records, leading to discrepancies between populations. For example, one study found that FAS was more frequently reported in a large, inner-city hospital serving underserved populations, while it was underreported in a large, suburban hospital.
Although reports state that people from underserved, historically marginalized and under-resourced populations experience higher rates of FASD, Black, Indigenous and Color (BIPOC) women and people from economic disadvantages are less likely than white women receive adequate antenatal care and services for their children.
FASDs and disabilities are interconnected in many areas of life for people with prenatal substance exposure. Recognizing and addressing these intersections is critical to promoting health behavior equity and improving the overall health and well-being of those living with FASD.
FASDs are complex conditions that require our collective attention and compassion. We can make a significant difference by spreading awareness, supporting prevention, and supporting individuals and families affected by FASD. Every step towards education and understanding is a step towards a healthier future. Let’s commit to a world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential, free from the preventable effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
The US Department of Health and Human Services offers a wealth of resources for parents, caregivers and families:
- SAMHSA TIP 58: Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) (PDF | 6.3 MB) – a comprehensive guide to alcohol use screening tools and interventions for pregnant and women of reproductive age to prevent FASD.
- Preparing for your baby: Information for pregnant people with substance use disorders (PDF | 2.3 MB) – a resource for pregnant women who have a substance use disorder and are preparing to give birth.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FASD Resources. – a website with links to resources about FASD for various audiences.
- NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders – a comprehensive resource consisting of FASD research, newsletters, news articles and links to resources.
- ASPE informs: State responses to FASD and the role of health and human service providers in FASD prevention – resources for state and local strategies for FASD prevention, detection and intervention.
- FindSupport.gov – designed to help people identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and learn how to communicate to get the support they need for mental health, substance abuse issues or alcohol.
- FindTreatment.gov – a confidential and anonymous resource for people seeking treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
If you are concerned about FASD, ask your health care provider to refer you to a specialist who knows about FASD. To find health care providers, referrals to resources and services, or receive one-on-one peer support, visit FASD United’s Family Navigator program. If your child is under three years old, you can be contacted state or territory early intervention program. FASD United also has a search feature Resource Directory that helps you find resources in your area. Together, we can create a brighter tomorrow.
