Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a condition affecting children born to women who drink heavily during pregnancy. There are three criteria used to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and to make a diagnosis of FAS. The first of these is a pattern of facial anomalies, these features include: ? Small eye openings ? Flat cheekbones ? Flattened groove between nose and upper lip ? Thin upper lip These characteristics can gradually diminish as the child ages, but …

…is never easy to stop and quite often a pregnancy does not make it any easier for the struggling alcoholic to cease drinking while pregnant. These women need support, respect, understanding and caring assistance. Alcohol and drugs are available everywhere in our society, even in supposed protective environments. Instead of imposing solutions on a woman, it is important to support her as she works toward a chosen and suitable change for herself and her children.