When is fas detected

The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that children from all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds were equally likely to have fetal alcohol disorders. And one study found that women from high-income households were more likely to binge drink than women with lower incomes -- and thus put their children at higher risk.

But Bell thinks his community is harder hit than others -- and than this new research suggests. In a examination of children who came to the Jackson Park Hospital's Family Medicine Clinic on Chicago's South Side, roughly 40 percent met the criteria for a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, Bell said.

But such behavior can often be misunderstood, earning a child punishment instead of help. Bell said he often sees fetal alcohol in grownups as well. Adults with fetal alcohol may have a bad temper, poor social judgement and terrible math skills, he said. They were often born prematurely and have a heart murmur. They may be violent toward others or at risk of harming themselves. Karen Weintraub Contributor, CommonHealth Karen Weintraub spent 20 years in newsrooms before becoming a freelance writer.

Skip to main content. Close close Donate. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a leading cause of intellectual disability, and drinking during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage and stillbirth.

There are a host of other complications babies with FAS might be prone to, including premature birth, low birth weight, deformities in the arms and legs and difficulties in coordination. In general, the signs and symptoms of kids with FAS include problems with their eyesight and hearing, distorted facial features, speech and language delays and behavior problems like short attention span, hyperactivity, anxiety and poor impulse control.

Fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms tend to fall into three categories: physical defects, behavioral and social issues, and problems with the brain and nervous system. Here's a breakdown:. While no one knows how many drinks cause FAS, the more alcohol a mother drinks, the higher the chances that her fetus will have tissue and organ damage, including brain damage. Binge drinking — which is defined as having four or more drinks at one time — may make it worse.

That's why experts discourage pregnant women from drinking anything alcoholic, since no one really knows what a safe limit is. Keep in mind, however, that just because you drank alcohol during your pregnancy doesn't mean that your baby will have FAS. Genetics, nutrition and environmental factors can all influence what effect alcohol has on a fetus. Experts aren't sure how many people are affected by FAS, but they believe that fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are under-diagnosed, and there's no good data on how many children have FAS.

The most recent CDC study found 0. There's no test that's used to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome while you're pregnant — for example, FAS can't be detected with an ultrasound or blood test — so doctors typically make FASDs diagnoses after the child is born by looking for certain facial features, such as a smooth area of skin between the nose and upper lip, and behavioral problems like hyperactivity and poor coordination.

Many of these signs and symptoms also occur in children with other conditions, so your pediatrician may refer you to a specialist if he or she suspects your child has FAS.

Good treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and changes as needed along the way. If you or the doctor thinks there could be a problem, ask the doctor for a referral to a specialist someone who knows about FASDs , such as a developmental pediatrician, child psychologist, or clinical geneticist. In some cities, there are clinics whose staffs have special training in diagnosing and treating children with FASDs.

This is sometimes called a Child Find evaluation. Learn more about early intervention » external icon. If your child is 3 years old or older , contact your local public school system. Even if your child is not old enough for kindergarten or enrolled in a public school, call your local elementary school or board of education and ask to speak with someone who can help you have your child evaluated.

Learn more about this process » external icon. Parent to Physician external icon. Physician to Parent external icon. Parent to Parent external icon. Streissguth, A. Risk factors for adverse life outcomes in fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 5 4 , To make a diagnosis, your doctor: Discusses drinking during pregnancy. If you report the timing and amount of alcohol consumption, your obstetrician or other health care provider can help determine the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.

Although doctors can't diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome before a baby is born, they can assess the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy. Watches for signs and symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome in your child's initial weeks, months and years of life. This includes assessing physical appearance and distinguishing features of your baby and monitoring your child's physical and brain growth and development.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references AskMayoExpert. Fetal alcohol syndrome. Rochester, Minn. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed March 13, American Academy of Family Physicians. Williams JF, et al. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.