Foetal Alcohol Syndrom

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Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)/Unborn Child

From http://www.hst.org.za/update/43/policy8.htm

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) occurs in infants born to women who drink heavily during pregnancy. Signs of this syndrome include mental retardation, poor motor coordination, hyperactivity, facial abnormalities and malformation of organ systems. The overall incidence of FAS in advanced industrial societies is 1 in every 750 children. In South Africa, FAS is thought to be by far the most common cause of mental retardation. A 1985 study found that the incidence of FAS in Cape Town is 1 per 281 live births. When examining disadvantaged communities, the incidence of foetal alcohol effects is likely to be much higher. In recent investigation of women attending antenatal classes in Cape Town, it was found that 26.4% of women drank at levels high enough to put their babies at risk for FAS.
(For advice on drinking during pregnancy, click here)

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From Beeld, 22 Oct 2003 p 9.

The Northern-Cape town of De Aar proves the correlation between poverty and FAS. It has an occurrence of 10% of FAS for children of school going age.

In Gauteng the figure is 2%.

Symptoms of FAS

Limited growth. Even at birth the child is already smaller than average.

Head diameter. The head is smaller than normal. The middle third of the face is underdeveloped.

Face characteristics.

Small eyes.

A long and smooth upper lip.

The bridge of the nose is flat.

Mental disability. Average IQ is 65. Struggles with mathematics and language in school.

Behaviour problems. Hyperactive, impulsive, jittery, does not concentrate and unacceptable social behaviour at times.

Physical development. Sit, crawl and walk later than other kids. Struggles with fine motor skills.

Adulthood. Easily swayed. Struggle to control aggression and therefore frequently in conflict with the law. Struggle to be independent and maintain a steady job.

Alcohol and drugs. According to health.msn.com more than a third of people with FAS will be allowed into clinics for substance abuse.

Causes of FAS

	Alcohol reaches the foetus within 20 minutes of the mother taking liquor.
	After it has penetrated the placenta it is concentrated to higher levels than in the mother's body.
	The foetus is a fast growing group of cells that divides frequently. The brain is the fastest growing organ throughout pregnancy.
	Even moderate drinking (3 drinks per day) creates risk for the foetus.
	Heavy drinking (8 beers, half a bottle of whisky, a litre of wine) creates a 30% - 40% risk that the baby will have FAS.
	The brain develops extensively in the first two years after birth. A heavily drinking and breastfeeding mother endangers the development of the child.
	The primary source of alcohol for such mothers is beer and not wine.

Last updated 04 January 2004

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