Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

My report is on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS. During the next four paragraphs

I will explain the cause, effect, prevention, and common misconceptions of FAS.

FAS is a somewhat common disease in babies. One out of every hundred babies

have FAS, and there is a prevention for it. The best prevention of Fetal Alcohol

Syndrome is to not drink at all during pregnacy. Although many test's have been

conducted that show one drink a day during pregnancy did not cause FAS, the best option

is no alcohol during pregnancy.

The biggest cause for FAS is with heavy drinkers of Alcohol during pregnancy.

Women who drink every day, during pregnancy, tend to have a better chance of having a

child with FAS.

Women who have children with FAS also tend to use illegal drugs, smoke, drink

to access, have unhealthy diet's, and do not have medical care during pregnancy. They do

not realize their addiction and the fact that they are harming the baby. Furthermore I

would like to present some facts about the people who suffer from FAS.

Children with FAS tend to have the Following:

1) Smaller Heads

2) Deformed facial features

3) Abnormal joints and limbs

4) Poor Cordination

5) Problems with Learning

6) Short Memories

People ages 12-51 tend to suffer from the following:

1) Mental Health Problems

2) Have trouble with the law

3) Will be confined in prison

4) Have drug and alcohol problems

5) Disruptive school behaviour

6) Inapropriate sexual behaviour

The effects I just listed do not come from a pregnant woming taking one drink of

alcohol. Women should still take warning when drinking alcoholic beverages during

pregnancy. They should take responsibilty and shouldn't drink to excess. Perhaps one

drink, or even no drinks would be the safest prevention.

A common misconception of this disease is that it is genetic and has nothing to do

with the alcohol consumption of the mother. This is completely false. Many studies have

been done to see if FAS is genetic and the answer is no. If a baby gets FAS the mother is

to blame no one else.

In my opinion, I think that the Mother of the child is to blame. She should take

responsibilty for her child and imagine just what she is putting the child through. FAS is

a serious problem and can be prevented. It is just a matter of responsibility.