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Fetal Alcohol Treatment

Becoming a parent is a responsibility that begins the moment a mother finds out that she's pregnant. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can produce fetal alcohol syndrome, resulting in lifelong problems for the child and a life of extended care-giving for the parents. No treatment exists for fetal alcohol syndrome itself, only for its complications.

  1. Definition

    • A mother who drinks during pregnancy risks exposing her developing fetus to alcohol, which can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. The long-term effects of this medical condition include physical birth defects and mental health issues that could result in behavioral problems. These effects are irreversible for the most part. However, if the condition is caught early enough, a doctor may be able to recommend treatments that can help parents to better control their child's behavior and allow the child a chance at a productive life.

    Heart

    • Some cases of fetal alcohol syndrome result in birth defects of the heart. These defects, ranging from under-developed arteries to holes in the heart, affect the heart's ability to properly supply oxygen-enriched blood to the organs of the body. Surgery can often resolve these defects, but in some cases surgery poses too great a threat to the child. In these cases, the child's lifestyle will need to be altered to accommodate the heart defect.

    Brain Damage

    • Varying degrees of brain damage commonly occur as a result of fetal alcohol syndrome. If brain defects are discovered early enough, the doctor can refer the parents to developmental specialists who will help the parents and child, working together, to develop the child's abilities to the best of their ability.

    Birth Complications

    • Fetal alcohol syndrome can strike before the parents even have a chance to find out if their child is affected by it. The syndrome can result in a miscarriage or in the baby being stillborn. It can also result in premature birth. Depending on how premature the birth is, this could result in a different series of birth defects and developmental problems.

    Prevention

    • Preventing fetal alcohol syndrome is essential because many of the results of this condition, such as brain defects, are incurable. To effectively prevent fetal alcohol syndrome, the mother must seek help immediately when she discovers she's pregnant. An alcoholic mother, or a mother with alcoholic tendencies, should begin an alcoholism program monitored by her doctor.

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