Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Analysis

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Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by a mother drinking while she is pregnant, causing the fetus to be born with a wide range of birth defects. Some of the birth defects are mental retardation, facial abnormalities, a small head, heart problems and even brain damage. Although fetal alcohol syndrome is not curable and the child has it their whole lives they can still live a normal happy life. There are many signs that a child may have fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a set of physical and mental defects that are the result of a woman drinking while she is pregnant. The syndrome is characterized by brain damage, facial deformities and growth deficits. Fetal alcohol syndrome has many effects on a child. Their hearts, livers and …show more content…
In general the physical defects and mental deficiencies persist for a lifetime. Heart abnormalities may require surgery. Learning problems may be helped by special services in school. Parents often benefit from counseling to help the family with a child’s behavior problems. There is no specific medical treatment for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Families and children benefit from early intervention. Knowing what is wrong helps in understanding why the child acts differently than other children. Growing up in a supportive, nurturing home may help prevent social and mental health problems (Fetal alcohol syndrome, …show more content…
Newborns are irritable, have feeding problems, a poor suck reflex and a small head circumference. They are overly sensitive to loud noise, strong odors and rough clothing. They have problems adapting to new things and new situations, abnormal sleep cycles, frequent waking at night and low muscle tone. As toddlers they can present head banging, language delays, poor memory, and hyperactivity. The early school age children have learning disabilities, trouble getting along with others, short attention span, and aggressiveness. They have problems talking and listening, hearing problems, temper tantrums and mood changes, they also take longer to complete task. Adolescents and adults have poor judgment, memory problems, and trouble applying knowledge and higher thinking. They also have problems understanding why something happened, trouble with time management and a lack of common sense. Not every child who is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy will have problems. Every child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is different and has his or her own potential for succeeding in