Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- The Biological Basis / FAS FASD Video

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome -- The Biological Basis

Courtesy of:

National Institute on
Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304
Bethesda, MD 20892-9304

Over 375,000 newborn babies have been exposed to drugs in utero. The film promotes zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and drugs for all pregnant women. The purpose of the video is to promote awareness of the problem among teenagers who are at risk for both unplanned pregnancy and substance use. This gripping film take a serious, no-holds-barred look at what happens when pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The film includes an examination of prenatal drug and alcohol abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, nicotine's effect on unborn babies, risks for AIDS, SIDS and FAS, drug effects at various stages of pregnancy, how drugs affect unborn babies and other relation social and emotional problems. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and a spectrum of associated disorders, sometimes called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is a permanent birth defect caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The term fetal alcohol effects (FAE) or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) is applied to children whose mothers are known to have drunk heavily during pregnancy and who exhibit some, but not all, features of alcohol-related facial malformation. FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western world and is entirely preventable. It has been estimated that one in 1000 children born suffers from FAS, and one in 100 suffers milder effects (FAE) of maternal prenatal alcohol exposure.

The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) is committed to developing and implementing innovative ideas in prevention, education, intervention, and advocacy in communities both nationally and internationally. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) provides information and research on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) including referral information across the United States with a national and state directory; Web resources with an extensive list of sites that discuss FASD; the latest events and activities with an up-to-date calendar of events; and information on addressing FASD through the NOFAS programs. A. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the severe end of a spectrum of effects that can occur when a woman drinks during pregnancy. Fetal death is the most extreme outcome. FAS is a disorder characterized by abnormal facial features, and growth and central nervous system (CNS) problems. If a pregnant woman drinks alcohol but her child does not have all of the symptoms of FAS, it is possible that her child has an alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). Children with ARND do not have full FAS, but may demonstrate learning and behavioral problems caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. Children with FAS are at risk for psychiatric problems, criminal behavior, unemployment, and incomplete education. These secondary conditions are problems that an individual is not born with, but might acquire as a result of FAS. These conditions can be very serious, yet there are protective factors that have been found to help individuals with these problems. For example, a child who is diagnosed early in life can be placed in appropriate educational classes and given access to social services that can help the child and his or her family. Children with FAS who receive special education are more likely to achieve their developmental and educational potential. In addition, children with FAS need a loving, nurturing, and stable home life in order to avoid disruptions, transient lifestyles, or harmful relationships. Children with FAS who live in abusive or unstable households or become involved in youth violence are much more likely to develop secondary conditions than children with FAS who have not had such negative experiences. For further assistance, contact NOFAS at 1-800-66-NOFAS.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• fetal
• alcohol
• syndrome
• FAS
• FASD
• FAE
• spectrum
• disorders
• alcoholic
• pregnancy
• pregnant
• fetus
• embryo
• substance
• abuse
• prenatal
• care
• teenage
• alcoholism
• AIDS
• SIDS
• ARND
• mother
• drinking
• drink
• drinks
• alcoholics
• teenagers
• teen
• teens
• growth
• baby
• babies
• disorder
• ethanol
• partial
• pFAS
• related
• neurodevelopmental
• static
• encephalopathy
• exposed
• SEAE
• birth
• defects
• ARBD
• facial
• features
• NOFAS
• beer
• face
• brain
• damage
• eyes
• drank
• drunk
• retarded
• mental
• physical
• woman
• women
• microcephalic
• addiction
• dependency

[catzlemon]

Thank you for this video. I was unaware of my pregnancy due to PTSD and the numbing effects of alcohol. Unfortunately for my wonderful son, he is suffering from my alcohol abuse. The guilt is unbelievable and shaming. I wish I could turn back the clock and relive that time in my life, but I can't. I am blessed because my son is loved by all. He is friendly and outgoing and laughs constantly. I pray, like other mothers, that he will one day be able to hold a job and be independent.

[rosaryfilms]

@catzlemon - thank you for your comments -- your comments will help others. Please forgive yourself and remember that the Mercy of God is far greater than all of our sins combined. God will watch over you and your son. Regards...

[jakspak]

thankyou for this vid it was very helpfull to see what has happened our son who is 8 has just been diagnosed with partial FAS im working through the numbness i feel and guilt im sure will come soon enough. i read some of what is said and before you judge i think you should think not all kids that have it are from parents that are abuses of alcohol. i never drank with my second cause by then there was more said about no drink in pregnancy. now i start the process of helping my son.

[rosaryfilms]

thank you for your comments. God will Bless your efforts! regards...

[MrNeo2001]

Doctors used to tell women that it was okay to have one alcoholic beverage per day and it wouldn't hurt the unborn child, but the similarities between FAS and other life long conditions like ADD and ADHD is scary. Vitamin consumption could also have toxic results to unborn children, such as taking in too much iron, or not enough vitamin B complex.

[rosaryfilms]

MrNeo2001, the new rule is that no alcohol amount is safe. No alcohol is recommended.

[usgop]

A preventable condition.

[JPPT1974]

It is dumb for someone to drink, when they are pregnant!

[MickeyMorandini1]

@Antiks72 I have FAS as well.

[13brisardtravis]

well that explains way I cant reamember my math had hard time reading my spelling is off I dont remember things verry well that my fetal elcahal sindrom.. DAM THIS SUCKS

[starbucks2101]

@starbucks2101 at 3:49

[starbucks2101]

@rosaryfilms where can i find this picture pls i need it so badly for my research! anyone?

[XboxFreek928]

Hey i found this guy on youtube and he is really good at commentating and he realyl deserve more subs now if you do or do not check out his channel donnt tell him i sent you but this guy is amazing and i really like him and he only has 1 k subs and is helping out newer channels he completely has a great soul to be helping people so early in there youtube stuff so if you would please check him out it would mean a lot because he really does deserve atleast 10k subs god bless :)LINK--> /gmuC5SB_8pq

[andiemilonakis09]

@diamonds4rubies she didn't give him alcohol. he was adopted by her and his mother drank alcohol through out her pregnancy. That is why she is so heartbroken because the last thing a true mother (adopted or biological) would want is to have her kid with some sort of disability. I think it took alot of guts for her to share her story to the world so a little more respect should be in order. Thank you.

[jlmmyhoffa]

@catzlemon I wonder what kind of guilt you must have. To know that a decision, and only a decision, caused permanent damage to an innocent child. To debilitate another human being, your child nonetheless, for life. Do you look back and think '9 months of abstaining from the drink would have been hell for me (if you were/are an alcoholic), but at least I could have kept this helpless person inside of me safe'? 270 days of selflessness in return for a fully functioning child.

[canyougtfo]

mario music FTW !

[basilization1]

This is a good enough reason to ban alcohol.

[dihle12]

if a mother drinks while pregant she should be charged with child abuse