Dangers Of Drinking During Pregnancy
Douglas Hardwick
In 1968 French medical researchers identified a collection of
abnormalities in children born to alcoholic mothers. These
abnormalities came to be known collectively as the Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome (FAS). The defects associated with FAS are caused when alcohol
drunk by the mother crosses the placenta, enters the unborn child's
bloodstream, and interferes with normal biological development.
Most FAS babies have distinct facial features. They usually have small
heads, with small eyes, very thin upper lips, low, sunken nasal
bridges, and flattened cheekbones. In addition to their distinctive
facial features, FAS babies suffer a variety of other physical defects.
They generally show growth retardation. They are shorter and lighter in
weight, on average, than non-FAS babies. This growth lag tends to
persist into childhood. FAS babies often have deformities in their
bones and joints and may have certain heart defects. Motor coordination
tends to be poor, also. The most devastating problems, however, center
on their intellectual development.
The developing brain is especially sensitive to alcohol. Prenatal
exposure to alcohol appears to cause faulty arrangement of brain cells.
Hence, FAS babies have reduced potential for developing their thinking
and reasoning. By the time they reach school age, FAS babies typically
show signs of mental retardation. Throughout childhood they will have
poor attention spans and impaired learning skills.
In addition to their many intellectual problems, FAS children have a
range of behavioral problems. They tend to be restless, irritable, and
aggressive. They are likely to have poor impulse control. Because they
have difficulty interpreting and responding to social cues, FAS
children often have few friends.
Today we know that a mother does not have to be an alcoholic to give
birth to a child who shows signs of FAS. A mother's consistent use of
alcohol, even small amounts, throughout pregnancy can produce adverse
effects on the unborn child. Occasional binge drinking during pregnancy
can also have profound effects.
It is estimated that 1 infant in 750 suffers from FAS. Perhaps another
10 infants suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE). FAE refers to a
condition that is somewhat less severe than FAS. The child with FAE
does not show all the signs of full-blown FAS, but shares many of the
same developmental defects. For example, children with FAE typically
have intellectual impairments and behavioral problems that continue
throughout childhood and beyond.
How much alcohol can a woman safely consume when she is pregnant?
Occasionally a physician will tell a woman that a drink of wine now and
then will not hurt her unborn child. However, the fact of the matter
is, no one knows for sure how much alcohol is needed to harm the unborn
child. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has stated
that "no amount of alcohol has been proven safe to consume during
pregnancy". The best advice for women, who are pregnant, or planning on
becoming pregnant, is to abstain from all drinking. By following this
advice, the wide range of birth defects associated with FAS and FAE can
be prevented.
Douglas Hardwick, Ph.D., has extensive interests in human development
and holistic health issues. He contributes to a holistic health
information hub:
http://www.holisticwebworks.com
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