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Introduction
Alcohol-related birth defects refer to anatomic or functional abnormalities caused due to prenatal alcohol exposure.
Any amount of alcohol taking during the pregnancy is harmful for the baby. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Alcohol has a teratogenic effect on the fetus and if a pregnant woman takes alcohol during pregnancy, it reaches the fetal blood system through the placenta affecting the developing tissues and organs of the fetus and this has a profound impact on the physical and mental growth & development of the baby.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can occur due to prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD refers to conditions such as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), fetal alcohol effects (FAE), alcohol related neuro developmental disorder (ARND), and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).
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Signs and Symptoms
- Alcohol related birth defects include facial anomalies like small head (microcephaly), cleft or groove between the nose and the upper lip, smooth skin surface between the nose and the upper lip (indistinct philtrum), small eye opening, low nasal bridge, small upper jaw, and small and narrow eyes.
- One or more congenital defects like malformations and dysplasia of the heart, bone, kidney, vision, or hearing systems will occur which will result in heart defects, fusion of bones, speech and hearing impairment.
- There may be malformations or deformities of the skeletal system like deformed ribs, curved spine, fused or webbed fingers or toes, and hip dislocation.
- The speech and the motor coordination of the baby may be affected.
- The baby may suffer from heart defects like atrial /ventricular septal defects.
- The affected child may have to suffer lifelong from mental retardation, learning disabilities, speech and language problems, poor memory, short attention span, poor reasoning and problem solving skills, cognitive difficulties, social disabilities and affected behavioral development.
- There will be slow growth before and after birth.
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Causes & Risk factors
Alcohol is metabolized at a much slower rate in a fetus than in an adult and thus the alcohol reaching the fetus will remain in the fetal blood stream for a longer period than in the mother’s blood. The organs or the body parts that are developing at the time of alcohol exposure are affected. The development of the brain and the central nervous system take place throughout the pregnancy and thus are most prone to damage from prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Tests & Diagnosis
An ultrasound will show slow fetal growth.
Brain imaging studies will show abnormal brain development.
On physical examination of the child, structural problems of the face can be seen.
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Prevention
Pregnant women and even those trying to conceive should completely avoid alcohol.
Counseling or rehabilitation programs may be helpful for those who drink regularly or heavily or for those with alcohol dependence. Community education also plays an important role.
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Treatment
Alcohol related birth defects result in congenital anomalies and permanent disabilities and have no cure or treatment. There are no medications to reverse the symptoms associated with alcohol related birth defects. Some physical birth defects like cleft lip or cleft palate can be surgically corrected.
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