Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (FAS)(FAS)

What is fetal alcohol What is fetal alcohol syndrome?syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome Fetal alcohol syndrome is a pattern of mental and is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus and is physical defects that can develop in a fetus and is caused by high levels of alcohol consumption during caused by high levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It affects not only birth weight and growth pregnancy. It affects not only birth weight and growth but also brain development which will in turn affect but also brain development which will in turn affect there whole life both physical and mentally. It can also there whole life both physical and mentally. It can also

cause psychological or behavioral problems.cause psychological or behavioral problems.

Affected children with Affected children with FAS.FAS.

Typically a child with FAS will have some Typically a child with FAS will have some or all of the following problems or or all of the following problems or difficulties: weak attention spans, difficulties: weak attention spans, difficulty with social skills, weak difficulty with social skills, weak memories, difficulty with reading, writing memories, difficulty with reading, writing and mathematics and delayed language and mathematics and delayed language development. development.

Behavioural Behavioural

The mothers behavioural activities during The mothers behavioural activities during pregnancy is critical - Fetal alcohol pregnancy is critical - Fetal alcohol syndrome is 100% preventable by the syndrome is 100% preventable by the expectant mother not drinking expectant mother not drinking excessively whilst pregnant and breast excessively whilst pregnant and breast feeding. This gives a higher conception feeding. This gives a higher conception rate and also a better chance of having a rate and also a better chance of having a healthier baby. healthier baby.

Social environmentSocial environment

The environment the mother lives in and The environment the mother lives in and her daily activities have a huge impact her daily activities have a huge impact together with the education on her together with the education on her pregnancy, so that she learn about the pregnancy, so that she learn about the problem that comes with drinking during problem that comes with drinking during pregnancy and the effect on her unborn pregnancy and the effect on her unborn child. child.

Biological Biological

Genetics- the mother can inherit Genetics- the mother can inherit alcoholism from her parents which is also alcoholism from her parents which is also quite hard to kick, being an alcoholic can quite hard to kick, being an alcoholic can affect your reproductive organs in the first affect your reproductive organs in the first place which makes it a lot harder to fall place which makes it a lot harder to fall pregnant. Nine months can seem like a pregnant. Nine months can seem like a lifetime for someone to go without a drink. lifetime for someone to go without a drink. When its been such a big part of there life. When its been such a big part of there life.

physicalphysical

Access to recreational facilities- for a Access to recreational facilities- for a person that suffers from alcoholism is person that suffers from alcoholism is important as they need a place to go important as they need a place to go which will promote a lifestyle for healthy which will promote a lifestyle for healthy living. Such as a football\netball club that living. Such as a football\netball club that doesn’t provide alcohol but also knowing doesn’t provide alcohol but also knowing that you can have a good time without that you can have a good time without alcohol. alcohol.

ALL DONE!ALL DONE!

TA TA! TA TA!

Peace out! ;)