FETAL

ALCOHOL
SYNDROME
(FAS)
Presented by:
Myca Althea I. Auxillos
Luigi Boy G. Aves
BSN 2-1
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A T E L F
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FETAL
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H L O L A C O
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ALCOHO
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P E U X S O R
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EXPOSUR
E
 what is fas?
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition in a
child that results from alcohol exposure during the
mother's pregnancy.

• Associated with a variable spectrum of effects referred

to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
 pathophysiology
Alcohol Exposure during Pregnancy
• Alcohol crosses placenta in the same concentration as is present in
the maternal bloodstream
• Alcohol crosses the placenta affecting organogenesis and
functional maturation
• The fetus appears to depend on maternal hepatic detoxification
because the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in the fetal
liver is less than 10% of that observed in the adult liver.
Furthermore, the amniotic fluid acts as a reservoir for alcohol,
prolonging fetal exposure.
Alcohol Exposure during Pregnancy

• Ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde can alter

fetal development by disrupting cellular
differentiation and growth, disrupting DNA and
protein synthesis and inhibiting cell migration.
• Studies have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure
affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)
axis as well as alters basal and poststress cortisol
levels.
 characteristics of fas

1.Prenatal and postnatal growth restriction

2.CNS involvement:
• cognitive challenge
• microcephaly
• cerebral palsy
1.Distinctive facial feature of a short palpebral fissure
and thin upper lip
 characteristics of fas

During neonatal period an infant may be:

“SWIFT”
• Sleep disturbances
• Weak sucking reflex
• Irritable
• Fidgety
• Tremulous
 characteristics of fas

Other characteristics include:

• Cognitive challenge - most serious long-term
effect
• Behavioral problems - such as hyperactivity
• Growth deficiencies - may remain throughout
life
• The syndrome appears in about 2 per 1,000
newborns and is often more difficult to document
than recreational drug exposure.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies

have shown that 0.2 to 1.5 cases of fetal alcohol
syndrome occur for every 1,000 live births in
certain areas of the United States.
 1 out of 10 1 out of 33
Approximately 10% of Approximately 3% of
pregnant women (about 1 pregnant women (about 1
in 10) reported any alcohol in 33) engaged in binge
use in the past 30 days. drinking or frequent use of
alcohol in the past 30 days.
 · In a
2022 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR),
CDC researchers found that nearly 14% (or 1 in 7) pregnant
people reported current drinking* and about 5% (or 1 in 20)
reported binge drinking† in the past 30 days.

· A 2020 report published in the American Journal of Preventive

Medicine found that both current alcohol use and binge drinking among
pregnant women aged 18–44 years in the United States increased
slightly from 2011 to 2018. Current drinking (having at least one drink
of any alcoholic beverage in the past 30 days) increased from 9.2% in
2011 to 11.3% in 2018.
 contributing
factors/etilogy
Alcohol exposure during pregnancy can result in FASD
by interfering with development of the baby's brain and
other critical organs and physiological functions. This can
lead to deficits after birth and beyond. Alcohol can disrupt
development at any stage, even before a woman knows
that she is pregnant.
 contributing
factors/etilogy
The etiology of the variability is mixed and may include:
• genetic differences,
• the quantity and timing of alcohol consumption,
• the pattern of exposure(chronic drinking)

Postnatal experiences including:

• socioeconomic factors,
• educational opportunities, and
• parenting style.
 clinical manifestation

• There are physical defects, deformities of joints, limbs and

fingers.
• Slow physical growth before and after birth.
• Vision difficulties or hearing problems.
• Small head circumference and brain size.
• They may also show certain facial malformations, such as small
eye sockets, smooth skin between the nose and upper lip rather
than a crease, and flattened cheekbones.
• Mandibular micrognathia and maxillary hypoplasia contribute
to collapse of the midface.
 Other orofacial abnormalities in FASD may
include:
• microdontia with defective enamel,
• cleft lip,
• malocclusions, and
• poor tongue thrusting.
 assessment
facial features
Children with fetal alcohol syndrome have
facial features such as small eyes, a thin
upper lip, and a smooth philtrum (the groove
between nose and upper lip).
Poor growth
Newborns may have low birth weights and
small heads. They may not grow or gain
weight as well as other children.

Seizures and other neurologic Delayed development

problems,
Kids may not reach milestones at
such as learning disabilities, and Behavioral the expected time.
poor balance and coordination. problems.
Babies may be fussy or jittery,
and have trouble sleeping.
 diagnosis findings

Doctors can diagnose the condition based on a baby’s symptoms, especially if

they know that the mother drank during pregnancy.
In children with milder problems, FASD can be harder to diagnose. No blood
test or other medical test can diagnose FASD.
The child may go to see a team of specialists who can help make the
diagnosis. They might include a developmental pediatrician,
neurologist, genetic specialist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, and
psychologist.h as learning disabilities, and poor balance and coordination.
 diagnosis findings

The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is based

on findings in the following three areas:
1. characteristic facial anomalies
2. growth retardation (intrauterine growth restriction
and failure to have catch-up growth), and
3. CNS involvement (cognitive impairment, learning
disabilities, or behavioral abnormalities).
 medical management

There is no treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome. Supportive care

should include an appropriate stimulating and nurturing
environment. Good nutrition and growth are especially important.
Many children with fetal alcohol syndrome will need learning
support in school.
Research shows that early intervention treatment services can
improve a child's development. Early intervention services help
children from birth to 3 years of age (36 months) learn important
skills. Services include therapy to help the child talk, walk, and
interact with others.
 medical management

Treating the mother's alcohol use problem can enable better

parenting and prevent future pregnancies from being affected.
If you know or suspect you have a problem with alcohol or other
substances, ask a medical or mental health professional for advice.
If you've given birth to a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, ask
about substance abuse counseling and treatment programs that
can help you overcome your misuse of alcohol or other substances.
 nursing management

Educational Developmental
Support/Counselling Monitoring

Nutritional Support Behavioral Management

Medication Management Family Support and

Advocacy

Prevention and Public

Collaboration/Coordination of
Health Advocacy
Care
“prevention is better
than cure”
-Desiderius Erasmus
Thank
You