Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Effects and Prevention

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Effects and Prevention

As far as pregnancy and fetal development are concerned, research documents evidence that prenatal exposure to alcohol presents a major risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), the term given to the continuum of adverse birth defects and/or deformities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. Among the wide range of FASDs is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which represents a cluster of symptoms at the extreme end of the spectrum. In unity, the implied abnormalities and developmental disabilities have become a major public health concern more so considering that in the 21^st century, liberal ideals present individuals with greater liberty to make their own life choices, including those related to lifestyle. In this vein, it is worrying that the number of women consuming alcohol is increasing by the day, yet many are ignorant of the dangers of taking alcohol during pregnancy or about the time of conception.  This paper discusses how drinking alcohol endangers the fetus and how women can prevent fetal alcohol syndrome.

Danger to the Fetus

First, it is imperative to note that it does not necessarily take large amounts of alcohol to affect the fetus; all that it takes is alcohol presence, however little. In general, drinking alcohol endangers the fetus by increasing the probability of occurrence of cognitive, behavioral, and physical abnormalities/defects that include stunted growth, facial malformations, stunted growth, and disorders of the central nervous system. While this can be understood as the notable defects or signs of ‘things gone wrong’, greater merit would be found in comprehending the specifics of what happens to the fetus as to bring about these effects. One possible effect (therefore danger) of alcohol is intoxication of the fetus. Upon entering the developing fetus’ tissues, alcohol causes cell damage, thus interfering with normal fetal development. Here, it must be noted that the time from conception up to at least the 12^th week marks a significant phase of embryonic development as it is during this period that most tissues and organs are formed. If alcohol is present, it reduces the number of cells in fetal tissues and destroys new ones being produced, hence in essence interfering with normal growth and development. Contextual toxicity interferes with, for instance, optimal development of the central nervous system as would be expressed through reduced brain size as well as functioning. The result of this when the baby is born and starts growing is inevitable and irreversible cognitive impairment, whose economic and social costs can be great. Prospective fathers are also advised to avoid alcohol at the time of conception as it can interfere with fetal development afterwards.

The effect of alcohol can also be understood from a nutritional perspective. Whereas the fetus depends on the mother for nutrition, it is endangered when the mother drinks since in that case the alcohol crosses over into the fetal blood through the placenta. This crossing over continues until an equilibrium is achieved, that is, between maternal and fetal blood alcohol levels. This is dangerous for the fetus because while the mother’s superior systems can get rid of the alcohol from her bloodstream, the fetus’ (systems) are underdeveloped and not as powerful yet to detoxify fetal blood. Thus, instead of nutrients, the fetus receives alcohol from the mother, and this alcohol lasts longer, long after the mother consumed it. In other words, a long time may elapse after the mother took alcohol, but this would still be present in fetal blood afterwards even after she sobered up. The damage to the cells and interference with normal tissue and organ development would be as elucidated in the previous paragraph. The effects would be visible through retarded growth, dysfunction of the central nervous system (also cognitive challenges), physical deformities/defects (such as upper thinner lip, upturned nose, smooth philtrum, and folding of the epicanthal among others), most of which inform the diagnostic criteria for FASDs, FAD included (Denny et al., 2020).

Prevention of FAS (and FASDs in General)

In recognition and appreciation of the fact that even a very small amount of alcohol poses the discussed risks to the fetus, the best way of preventing fetal alcohol syndrome is through complete abstinence. Since the danger of alcohol at conception is equally the same as in any stage of embryonic/fetal development, women of childbearing age should refrain from drinking alcohol, particularly when they are sexually active and want to conceive. Thus, not taking alcohol during pregnancy is not enough; alcohol should be avoided even before pregnancy, so long as one knows he or she desires pregnancy. In view of the possibility of ignorance or unawareness among a significant percentage of the population, aggressive public health promotion campaigns should be conducted by various health stakeholders (such as governments) to create awareness of the risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy or just before conception. Alcohol beverage companies should be compelled to include warning labels in their packaging so that the larger public is sensitized on the dangers of alcohol to the unborn.

In conclusion, alcohol consumption poses danger to the fetus, more precisely the possibility of occurrence of cognitive, behavioral, and physical abnormalities/defects that include stunted growth, facial malformations, stunted growth, and disorders of the central nervous system among others. To avoid these problems, complete abstinence (from alcohol) is recommended for pregnant women and those who are not necessarily pregnant but are of childbearing age and desire to be pregnant. Prospective fathers are also advised to abstain.