Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (original) (raw)
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WHAT IS FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME (FAS)?
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) happens when a baby is born to a mother who drank alcohol while pregnant. It causes problems that last a lifetime. There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should not drink any alcohol.
Babies with FAS may have:
- Different-looking faces
- Slow growth
- Problems with learning and behavior
FAS is part of a bigger group of problems called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). FASD includes any problems to children caused by alcohol during pregnancy. All types of alcohol are harmful, including wine and beer.
HOW COMMON IS FAS?
About 6 in 1,000 babies are born with FAS. Up to 48 in 1,000 babies are born with some signs of being exposed to alcohol before birth. That means up to 5 in 100 of all babies in the US are affected by FASD.
HOW DOES ALCOHOL HARM THE BABY?
When a pregnant woman drinks, the alcohol gets into her blood. The alcohol in the mother’s blood then goes to the baby’s blood and organs like the heart, brain and kidneys. The baby can’t get rid of the alcohol like the mother can. This means the alcohol stays in the baby longer and harms the baby.
WHAT HAPPENS TO A BABY’S EYES IN FAS AND FASD?
FAS/FASD can affect many parts of the eyes.
- Eyelid problems in FAS/FASD:
- Smaller eyelid openings
- Extra skin near the inner corner of the eye
- Extra space between inner corners of the eyes
- Droopy eyelids (Ptosis)
Other eye problems in FAS/FASD:
- Cloudy eyes, white spots over the colored part of the eyes
- High eye pressure (glaucoma)
- Cloudy spots in the focusing part of the eye (cataracts)
- Small or weak nerves in the eyes (optic nerve hypoplasia)
- Problems with eye formation (coloboma)
- Problems seeing, lazy eye (amblyopia)
- Eye movement problems, eyes that don’t work together (strabismus)
- Shaky eye movements (nystagmus)
- Needs for glasses (refractive error)
WHAT OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE BODY CAN FAS CAUSE?
Babies with FAS might have:
- Thin upper lip
- Flat area between the nose and upper lip
- Hear problems
- Bone problems
- Slow growth
- Learning problems
- Behavior problems
These problems in children can last into adulthood.
Fig. 1: Example of facial changes that can occur in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Note the thin, flat upper lip and the shortened eyelids.
HOW ARE EYE PROBLEMS IN FAS TREATED?
Some eye problems can be fixed with glasses or surgery. But some, like weak eye nerves, can’t be fixed. Eye doctors (ophthalmologists) can help families and schools support these children as they learn and grow.
HOW CAN WE HELP KIDS WITH FAS/FASD LEARN?
Kids with FAS/FASD may need extra help learning at school and home. It is important for doctors to tell schools when a child has problems from FAS/FASD. Schools often have ways to help these children learn better. There are also support groups for families like: Families Moving Forward at https://familiesmovingforwardprogram.org.
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT FAS?
Yes! The best way to prevent FAS is to not drink any alcohol during pregnancy. If someone is trying to get pregnant, it is best not to drink alcohol. If someone finds out that they are pregnant, it is best to stop drinking alcohol right away and speak with their doctor about possible problems from alcohol during pregnancy. Remember: there is no known "safe" amount of alcohol during pregnancy. All types of alcohol, including beer and wine, can harm a baby.
Updated 06/2024