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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Defined

According to Carol Saunders, R.N., of "Baby Biz," an organization devoted to prenatal care in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, "Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is permanent brain damage caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. It's a spectrum of disability."(1) The word 'Fetal' refers to changes in normal development in utero. 'Alcohol' refers to the teratogenic nature of the changes which causes permanent cell damage. 'Spectrum' refers to the fact that the syndrome can very from mild to severe. 'Disorder' means that it causes difficulty in function.

Dr. Kerry Saunders, M.D., Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, stated that FASD is under the umbrella of "Permanent Birth Defect Syndrome," caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. According to Dr. Saunders, it is NOT a Pathognomic Syndrome, with only one presentation, ('pathy', meaning a morbid condition, 'gnome,' meaning a brief statement of principal). FASD does not have a pathognomic characteristic. It is very broad with many features. (2)

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a type of neurological brain disorder that happens while the baby is still in the mother's womb. Depending on when the pregnant women drinks, either on a regular basis or periodic bingeing and the amount, her baby can be born with a range of brain disorders that run the gamut from mild to very severe. Full FAS may manifest itself in the form of physical abnormalities, Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy, learning disabilities. Most importantly, it can sometimes lead to severe behavioral problems. (3)

FASD is a leading cause of deformity and mental disability, but is not a clinical diagnosis. FASD is a term used to support individuals who have been diagnosed with a "spectrum" of effects related to prenatal alcohol exposure. It includes (but is not limited to) FAS, Fetal Alcohol Effected (FAE), Alcohol Related Neurobehavioral Disorder (ARND), Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD), Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS), and Static Encephalopathy (SE). (4)

There is no excluded group. Anywhere in the world, no matter ethnic heritage or income level, FASD can be found. There is also no safe level of alcohol to drink or safe time. Birth defects from prenatal exposure to alcohol can occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, before a woman even knows that she is pregnant. (5) Despite this, more than half of all women of childbearing age in the United States report that they drink alcohol. Also, more than half of all pregnancies are unplanned. (6) In Canada, it is estimated that 82% of women in childbearing years consume alcohol. (7)

Further, approximately one in 30 pregnant women in the United States reports "Risk Drinking" (seven or more drinks per week, or five or more drinks on any one occasion). Drinking alcohol at these levels poses a serious health threat to the unborn fetus. (8)

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1. Carol Kraft, RN, "Moving Forward with FAS," Community seminar, sponsored by "Baby Biz," Lou Soppit Community Center, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 18 Mar. 2005.

2. Dr. Kerry Saunders, MD, Ibid.

3. Peggy Seo Oba, RDH, MPA, MBA, handout from "Moving Forward with FAS," Community seminar, sponsored by "Baby Biz," Lou Soppit Community Center, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 18 Mar. 2005.

4. Carol Kraft, RN, "Moving Forward with FAS," Community seminar, sponsored by "Baby Biz," Lou Soppit Community Center, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 18 Mar. 2005.

5. United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, Fact Sheets, Alcohol Use and Pregnancy, (Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control, 2004) online, 24, Mar. 2005 <http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/factsheets/FAS_alcoholuse.pdf >

6. Ibid.

7. Health Canada,< http://www.bcstats.gov.ca/data/pop/pop/rd/cma0103.htm> handout from "Moving Forward with FAS," Community seminar, sponsored by "Baby Biz," Lou Soppit Community Center, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, 18 Mar. 2005.

8. United States Dept. of Health and Human Services, Fact Sheets, Alcohol Use and Pregnancy, (Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control, 2004) online, 24, Mar. 2005 <http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/factsheets/FAS_alcoholuse.pdf >

FASD resources

Contact us at
Christian Alliance for Indian Child Welfare

PO Box 253, Hillsboro, ND 58045 - 0253

writeus@caicw.org

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