Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
And the consumption of alcohol
during pregnancy
By Ezra, Sarah, Alexy
Fetal alcohol syndrome, otherwise known
What is fetal as FASD. Is a condition babies can develop
in their mother's womb.
alcohol Fetal alcohol syndrome can develop when
syndrome? a mother drinks alcohol during her
pregnancy.
General Statistics/Facts
Consumption of Your baby is Babies cannot Higher blood
1-2 drinks can
alcohol intertwined exposed to the process alcohol in alcohol content
cause damage to
with many social & same level of the same way as for longer.
foetal brain.
cultural activities. alcohol as you. adults due to their
liver not being fully
formed.
Who is Most Likely in
Australia
• Study in 2020 revealed on
average 2% consume alcohol in
first 20 weeks
• Highest groups:
• Remote living (4.6%) Very remote
(9.9%)
• Indigenous(8.2%)
• Teenage mothers (under 20)
(4.5%)
Decreases in
Percentages
• Population groups showed decline
in alcohol consumption after first
20 weeks.
• From range of 0.7% -> 5.2% to 0.3% -
> 2.1%
• Remote (2.0%) Very remote (5.1%)
• Indigenous (3.6%)
• Teenage mothers (under 20) (1.1%)
Motives of
Drinking
• Religious
purposes
• Addiction
• Lack of
awareness
• Escape
Syndrome causes
• The baby is exposed to the same blood level as the mother
• FASD diagnostic is exposed to alcohol before birth as
alcohol passes through the umbilical
• Alcohol is highly concentrated in baby than mother as the
foetus metabolizes alcohol slower, harming tissues &
organs and possible brain damage
• Lead to physical defects, brain and central nervous system
problems , social and behavioural issues
SYMPTOMS AND EFFECTS
Physical defects
• Defects of heart, kidneys and bone
• Vision and hearing problems
• Slow physical growth
• Joint deformity
• Low body weight
Brain and central Social and Behavioural issues
nervous system
Sleep
and
• Poor coordination sucking
problems
as a baby
• Poor memory
• Intellectual disability
• Trouble with attention
• Hyperactivity
• Poor reasoning or
judgemental skills
Trouble
• Rapid mood changes getting
along
etc.…. with
others
How can you prevent FASD for
your baby?
- Take steps beforehand to stop
yourself from drinking alcohol
- Drink more water
- Drink pasteurized juices
- Avoid going to parties that involve
drinking
- Say no to alcohol
- Think about the consequences
Treatment for
FASD
• Team of special education teachers
• Speech therapist
• Physical therapists
• Psychologists
• School councillor
• Constant care and communication
Bibliography
• CDC (2020). Basics about FASDs. [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/facts.html#:~:text=Fetal%20alcohol%20spectrum%20disorders%20(FASDs)%20are%20a%20group%20of%20conditio
ns [Accessed 3 Mar. 2023].
• CDC (2022). FASDs: Treatments. [online] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/treatments.html#:~:text=Studies%20have%20shown%20that%20some%20positive%20factors%20can. [Accessed 2
Mar. 2023].
• Cleveland Clinic (2015). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome | Cleveland Clinic. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15677-fetal-alcohol-syndrome [Accessed 1 Mar. 2023].
• Mayo clinic (2018). Fetal alcohol syndrome - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic. [online] Mayoclinic.org. Available at:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352907 [Accessed 5 Mar. 2023].
• Mayo Clinic Staff (2018). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - Symptoms and Causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352901 [Accessed 5 Mar. 2023].
• Patwal, S. (2015). 9 Healthy Juices You Should Drink During Pregnancy . [online] MomJunction. Available at:
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/healthy-juices-you-should-drink-during-pregnancy_00121738 [Accessed 1 Mar. 2023].
• Reilly, L. (2017). 11 Drinking Rituals from Religions Around the World. [online] Thrillist. Available at: https://www.thrillist.com/culture/alcohol-religious-
ceremonies-around-the-world [Accessed 10 Mar. 2023].
• www.fasdhub.org.au. (2021). Frequently asked questions about alcohol and pregnancy . [online] Available at: https://www.fasdhub.org.au/fasd-
information/faq/ [Accessed 25 Feb. 2023].
