Although fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition commonly recognized during childhood, its effects last long into adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)<\/a> is a condition that affects children as they grow in the womb. It has a wide range of severity but essentially results in impaired neurological development. FAS is only\u00a0caused by<\/a>\u00a0using alcohol while pregnant, affecting the baby\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a<\/a> spectrum of disorders, sometimes called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The condition ranges in severity but is always caused by the same thing; using alcohol during pregnancy. The baby\u2019s brain undergoes many necessary developmental steps during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Alcohol can disrupt normal growth and lead to permanent neurological disability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fetal alcohol syndrome typically becomes obvious during childhood and is often diagnosed by its symptoms and a history of alcohol use by the person\u2019s mother before their birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome that may be noticeable during childhood include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fetal alcohol syndrome is often considered a childhood disease because it is detected in children; however, it is permanent, and its effects last throughout someone\u2019s entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n While fetal alcohol syndrome is commonly recognized during childhood, its effects last long into adulthood. The signs and symptoms of this condition may change as someone reaches adulthood and impact them more as it affects their independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several physical characteristics that an adult with fetal alcohol syndrome may have. These include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of these physical characteristics can be present in people who do not have fetal alcohol syndrome; however, they may indicate that the condition is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because fetal alcohol syndrome affects brain development, there are several neurological symptoms that it can cause. Many of these involve an adult\u2019s ability to function normally and can cause them to become dependent on others. Some of the neurological symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These symptoms can range in severity from being minorly impairing to making someone completely dependent on others their entire life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, the neurological symptoms caused by fetal alcohol syndrome can also lead to behavioral symptoms. These symptoms include<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of these behavioral symptoms occur due to poor impulse control and can be present in children and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no way of curing fetal alcohol syndrome. Instead, any treatment for fetal alcohol syndrome focuses on<\/a> reducing the severity of symptoms, not eliminating them. Because of this, treatment will differ based on the person\u2019s symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vision and hearing problems are treated using hearing aids and glasses. Behavioral issues are treated through therapy and medication when appropriate. Neurological problems may benefit from education for those with intellectual deficits. While treatment may improve symptoms, it will never eliminate them as the underlying problem will always be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The only way to prevent fetal alcohol syndrome is to avoid alcohol while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Most people who become pregnant don\u2019t know they are pregnant until several weeks after the pregnancy has already begun, making it important to stop drinking before becoming pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no<\/a> safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy. Even a single drink could affect your child\u2019s development. If you use alcohol and are planning on trying to conceive, it is vital that you stop drinking beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stopping alcohol during pregnancy may be difficult or even seem impossible if you have an alcohol addiction. At The Recovery Village at Baptist Health, we know how difficult it can be to stop alcohol and have the experience to help you quit. Contact us<\/a> to learn how to keep your child safe and stop using alcohol during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n The impairments that fetal alcohol syndrome causes are serious. People with this condition see their lives cut short by over 50%, with an average life expectancy of 34 years<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome become worse<\/a> and more obvious as someone ages. By adulthood, most people with fetal alcohol syndrome require help with the basic activities of life and need someone to help keep them safe from impulsive actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because fetal alcohol disorder is a spectrum with different levels of severity, it is impossible to tell if an adult with this condition can live alone. Often adults with fetal alcohol syndrome will need assistance and cannot be independent; however, some with this condition may be able to live by themselves safely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Although fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition commonly recognized during childhood, its effects last long into adulthood. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that affects children as they grow in the womb. It has a wide range of severity but essentially results in impaired neurological development. FAS is only\u00a0caused by\u00a0using alcohol while pregnant, affecting […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":697,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2624","blog","type-blog","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"written_by":355,"enable_medically_and_up":["Yes"],"medically_reviewed_by":281,"medically_reviewed_content":"This article was reviewed by a medical professional to guarantee the delivery of accurate and up-to- date information. View our research policy.<\/a>","up_to_date":"Medically Reviewed by Benjamin Caleb Williams, RN<\/a>","page_first_published_date":"20230707","page_last_edit_date":"20230707","highlighted_description":"If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, help is available. Speak with a Recovery Advocate by calling 888-648-0738<\/b><\/a> now.","key_takeaways":"","source":{"source_label":"View Sources","source_content":"MedlinePlus. \u201cAlcohol<\/a>.\u201d March 22, 2022. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cBasics about FASDs<\/a>.\u201d November 4, 2022. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nWattendorf, Daniel J. & Muenke, Maximilian. \u201cFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders<\/a>.\u201d American Family Physician. 2005. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nMarcus, J. C. \u201cNeurological findings in the fetal alcohol syndrome<\/a>.\u201d Neuropediatrics, August 1987. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nKelly, Sandra J.; Day, Nancy; & Streissguth, Ann P. \u201cEffects of prenatal alcohol exposure on social behavior in humans and other species<\/a>.\u201d Neurotoxicology and Teratology, June 22, 2009. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nMurawski, Nathen J.; Moore, Eileen M.; & et al. \u201cAdvances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders<\/a>.\u201d Alcohol Research Current Reviews, 2015. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nUS Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. \u201cAlcohol Use During Pregnancy<\/a>.\u201d November 4, 2022. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nOh, Sarah Soyeon; Kim, Young Ju; & et al. \u201cHospitalizations and mortality among patients with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: a prospective study<\/a>.\u201d Scientific Reports, November 11, 2020. Accessed April 20, 2023.\r\n\r\nBailey, Leisa. \u201cFetal Alcohol Syndrome<\/a>.\u201d American Academy of Family Physicians, 2023. Accessed April 20, 2023."},"staff_member_heading":"Authorship","staff_member":[{"staff_member_title":"Editor","select_staff_member":355},{"staff_member_title":"Medical Reviewer","select_staff_member":281}],"insurance_label":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2624\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/697"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/281"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/staff\/355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.floridarehab.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Childhood Symptoms and Diagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms in Adults<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Physical Signs and Characteristics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Mental and Neurological Symptoms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Behavioral and Social Struggles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Treatment for Adults With Fetal Alcohol Syndrome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is the life expectancy of a person with fetal alcohol syndrome?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Does fetal alcohol syndrome get worse with age?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can adults with FASD live independently?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n