Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy.

Insight:

  • Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems.
  • The problem caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.
  • There is no amount of alcohol that's known to be safe to consume during pregnancy.
  • Symptoms include physical defects, such as vision, heart, joint growth, as well as nervous system problems.
  • Causes include alcohol in the bloodstream and reaching the placenta and fetus.
  • Treatment may include early intervention, addressing any fetus problems, vocational and life skills training for the born child, as well as family support for the mother and the child.

Sources:

Fetal alcohol syndrome - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

fetal alcohol syndrome - Google Search