y will drink while pregnant. The risks of drinking as little as one or two drinks a day may not seem like much yet they can cause a lifetime of birth defects. Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol syndrome are present not only at birth, but also during gestation. Low prenatal growth, and birth weight are common primary signs. A small head, small eye openings, droopy eye lids, a short upturned nose, thin upper lip, and small jaw are just some of the many physical abnormalities that can occur with chronic drinking. The physical birth defects are devastating yet just as much damage is unseen by the naked eye. Central nervous system defects such as Mental Retardation and behavior disorders can be seen. Poor concentration, impulsiveness and lack of judgment have a severe impact on the child's overall development. Children with behavior problems also do worse than normal children in school. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children have problems paying attention, score lower in mathematics and spelling, and have lower I.Q scores. Not only do these defects get worse as the child ages, the vicious cycle of alcohol abuse is also very likely to continue. Fetal Alcohol syndrome children are more likely to become alcohol dependant adults than children of mothers who did not drink. All the devastating disabilities last a lifetime. Early and accurate diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is crucial. The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome states, "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is widely misdiagnosed and under diagnosed, less than ten percent of medical schools require students to complete a course on the proper diagnosis and referral of individuals with alcoholism and other drug related addictions" (NOFAS 1). Knowing who is at risk can help our knowledge of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Pregnant woman can compromise the health of their children by drinking alcohol. Not only does exposure cause severe birth defects, but also certain people are more...
