Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Fetal alcohol syndrome includes physical, cognitive, and psychologicl abnormalities that result from consuming alcohol during pregnancy (no, I’m not talking about guys consuming alcohol when a woman is pregnant…geez). The affected newborn suffers from withdrawal symptoms since she is used to the alcohol content during the fetal stage. Hence, the newborn becomes very irritable, and has difficulties in feeding and sleeping. Babies with this condition often have small eye openings, a thin upper lip, and a smooth philtrum (the furrow between the nose and upper lip). Also, they may have small head sizes, poor growth, seizures, and birth defects such as vision problems, deafness, kidney problems, and heart problems. They may also present cognitive and socio-emotional issues such as learning difficulties, poor social skills, hyperactivity, anxiety, and stubbornness.