FAS - more school stuff

[Sunny]

Anyone up for discussion on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Have you ever heard of it...ever known anyone with it...do you think it's a prevalent issue?

Awareness and education are essential.

What impact does lack of attention to prenatal care have on the
child potentially?

When a woman does not invest in prenatal care, chances are that she may not invest in the lifestyle changes needed to ensure a healthy development of the child in utero.  If the mother does not make dietary changes (e.g. decreased caffeine, she could contribute to the increased risk of her child having such things as birth defects.  If the mother does not quit smoking, this reportedly contributes to the child being born with low birth weight.  It?s also reported that smoking could decrease intellect functioning of the child.  Alcohol & drug use during pregnancy directly affects the child because it can be born having such adversities as birth defects, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or addiction to a chemical being abused (e.g. Crack babies).     

What impact does the lack of adequate prenatal care have on our society, educational system, and health care system potentially?

I would like to focus the answer to this question by examining the result of  one facet of improper prenatal care and its impact on society as a whole.  The information gathered illustrates the possible end results of a child exposed to Alcohol during pregnancy.  Some interesting facts are as follows:

More than 20% of children have been exposed to high levels of alcohol in utero. All will suffer varying degrees of effects, ranging from mild learning disabilities to major physical, mental and intellectual impairment. It takes very little alcohol to cause serious damage. Research has shown that even a single exposure to high levels of alcohol can cause significant brain damage in the infant

FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) individuals may have a distinctive physical appearance and lower IQs, but have lower crime and addiction rates than FAE individuals as they get earlier diagnosis and can be better protected by society and their parents.
While FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) individuals may lack the outward physical appearance of alcohol damage, and generally have higher IQ's, the internal damage to the brain and other organs can be just as serious as full FAS. IQ measures convergent fact based thinking. Life skills require divergent adaptive thinking that in FAE individuals will be substantially lower than their IQ. However, because FAE individuals "look normal" they are expected to perform normally. These issues lead to secondary disabilities. Primary disabilities are those the child is born with. Secondary disabilities are those that develop as a result of failure to properly deal with the primary disabilities.
Of FAE individuals between the ages of 12 and 51:
?   95% will have mental health problems;
?   60% will have "disrupted school experience";
?   60% will experience trouble with the law;
?   55% will be confined in prison, drug or alcohol treatment centre or mental institution;
?   52% will exhibit inappropriate sexual behaviour.
The above information has been derived from: http://www.acbr.com/fas/fasmain.htm

[followsthewolf]

My daughter just had a baby, and was almost paranoid about what she ate and drank. A good thing.

In my years as an educator, I observed many students who fit the pattern. When I met the parent (usually only one) I understood what the problems were and why.

Thanks for the stats.

[Sunny]

Sure thing, FTW...and I know what you mean about the things pregnant women worry about these days and the precautions taken. My husband thought I was quite the freak both times because of the things I wouldnt' eat, drink or go around. LOL!

Thanks for sharing & congrats on the new grandchild!