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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Friday, February 10, 2012
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Pregnancy |
Consuming alcohol during pregnancy03/30/1998 |
How does ethanol affect the fetus of a mother who consumes alcohol? Also can you suggest a good book on the pathophysiology of illicit drug use on a fetus?
During pregnancy the ingestion of alcohol can result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Currently there is NO SAFE amount of alcohol, which can be ingested during pregnancy. Both the timing and the amount of alcohol consumed will affect the outcome. FAS is a group of disorders involving the central nervous system (CNS), facial malformations, growth deficiency and other anomalies. CNS abnormalities that occur include learning problems, motor incoordination, seizure hyperactivity and below average IQ's (mild to severe mental retardation). The facial appearance of the baby is typically small eye slits, short flat broad nose, thin upper lip, and widely spaced eyes. Growth deficiency is noted at birth with most infants having a birth weight, head circumference, and length below the third percentile. These infants rarely catch up after birth since they often experience feeding difficulties during the first several years of life. They will nurse poorly and may have vomiting for the first six months. They will also have difficulty with solid foods. Other abnormalities that frequently occur in the infant with FAS include cardiac, renal (kidney) and joint abnormalities.For the diagnosis of FAS to be made at least one feature from each of the following three categories must be present:
1. Prenatal and postnatal growth retardation--with abnormally small-for-age weight, length, and/or head circumference.
2. Central nervous system disorders--with signs of abnormal brain functioning, delays in behavioral development, and/or intellectual impairment.
3. At least two of the following abnormal craniofacial (skull and face) features--small head, small eyes or short eye openings, or a poorly developed philtrum (the groove above the upper lip), thin upper lip, short nose or flattened midfacial area.
The diagnosis of actual FAS was determined by a team of research specialists and is continually under review and research.
An infant can have Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) and exhibit some of the effects of alcohol exposure in utero but not meet the criteria for the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Additional information can be obtained from the databases of The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) (301)468-2600 (see the link below).
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Tina Weitkamp, RNC, MSN Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing College of Nursing University of Cincinnati |
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