Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a group of mental and physical problems that can happen when a mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. A “syndrome” is a group of symptoms. “Fetal” means anything that has to do with a fetus. Fetal alcohol syndrome includes ways a fetus is hurt by alcohol while it is still in its mother’s womb. Having this article of most importance, Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System appeals to all our readers to know in-depth about fetal alcohol syndrome for well-being.
Fetal alcohol syndrome Meaning –
FAS is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother’s pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible. There is no amount of alcohol that’s known to be safe to consume during pregnancy. If you drink during pregnancy, you place your baby at risk of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Risk factors for Fetal alcohol syndrome
The more alcohol a pregnant woman drinks, the more harm she’ll cause to her baby. The damage could occur even before the woman realizes that she’s pregnant. In the womb, a baby does not have a fully developed liver that can process or break down alcohol, so it can easily get to and damage the baby’s other organs. Therefore, if you’re thinking of having a child or if there’s a possibility you might be pregnant, cease all alcohol consumption immediately.
Signs of Fetal alcohol syndrome
Typically, the pediatrician will look for common signs of the disorder, such as:
- Smaller than normal head
- Low body weight
- A smooth ridge between the baby’s upper lip and nose
- An unusually thin upper lip
- Close-set eyes
- Small eye openings
- Abnormal brain scans
- Central nervous system issues
Fetal alcohol syndrome Causes
Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused by a mother drinking alcohol while she is pregnant. When a mother drinks while she is pregnant, the alcohol goes through the umbilical cord to the fetus. This is why doctors say “when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, so does her baby.”
Alcohol
Alcohol is poisonous to a fetus and can cause brain damage. This can cause many other problems once the baby is born.
Alcohol can cause problems with the way the fetus develops at any time during a pregnancy. This includes the earliest part of pregnancy when the mother might not even know she is pregnant.
A fetus is most likely to develop fetal alcohol syndrome if its mother:
- Binge drinks (has four or more drinks in a short time), even once; and/or
- Drinks a lot, regularly
It does not matter whether the mother drinks beer, wine, hard liquor, or any other kind of alcohol. One kind is not safer than any other. They are all equally likely to cause FAS.
Fetal alcohol syndrome Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, a child must have problems in three different areas:
1. Abnormal facial features
Having “abnormal facial features” means that parts of the child’s face look different than a child without FAS. To be diagnosed with FAS, a child must have:
- A smooth space between the nose and upper lip;
- A thin upper lip; and
- Eyes that are wide apart
2. Growth problems
Children with FAS do not grow as well as children without FAS. These growth problems can start even before birth, so many babies with FAS are born weighing less than other babies.
To be diagnosed with FAS, a child must have a height, weight, or both that are lower than normal. Their height or weight must be in the 10th percentile or lower, meaning 90% of all other children are taller or heavier.
3. Central nervous system problems
The central nervous system controls everything in the body. When it is damaged by alcohol during pregnancy, the damage can cause many different problems. To be diagnosed with FAS, a child must have three different kinds of central nervous system problems:
4. Structural problems
“Structural” problems are problems with the shape of the head or the brain. For example:
- The child’s head may be smaller than what would be normal for their height and weight
- Brain scans (like MRIs) may show changes in the shape of the child’s brain
5. Neurological problems
Neurological problems are problems with the way the brain and nerves control the body. For example:
- Coordination problems (using different parts of the body together)
- Problems controlling muscles
- Troubles with sucking like a baby
6. Functional problems
“Functional” problems are problems doing everyday tasks. To be diagnosed with FAS, a child has to have a lot more trouble doing everyday things than other children his age.
Problem areas
The child has to have a low IQ or developmental delay, or problems in three of these areas:
- Cognitive deficits (thinking problems), like trouble learning in school
- Executive functioning deficits (problems with the type of thinking that helps us plan, organize, and solve problems)
- Motor functioning delays (problems with how a person controls their muscles), like:
- Having trouble walking (this is an example of a gross motor skill)
- Writing trouble (this is a fine motor skill)
- Balancing and coordination troubles (using different parts of the body together)
- Attention problems or hyperactivity (having trouble paying attention and having lots of energy)
- Problems with social skills, like making friends
- Other problems with daily tasks
Fetal alcohol syndrome Prevention
In the United States, alcohol is the most common cause of birth defects that can be prevented. Fetal alcohol syndrome can be prevented in every pregnancy if the mother drinks no alcohol while she is pregnant.
Doctors suggest that women who are trying to get pregnant should also drink no alcohol. This is because a woman may not know she is pregnant for the first 4–6 weeks of her pregnancy.
Brain development
Some women drink alcohol during this time since they do not realize they are pregnant. But drinking during the earliest part of a pregnancy can cause severe FAS because the earliest part of the pregnancy is when the fetus’s brain starts developing. This is why it is safest not to drink any alcohol if a woman thinks she might get pregnant.
Treatment for children diagnosed with Fetal alcohol syndrome
There is no cure for FAS, but research shows that early intervention treatment services can improve a child’s development. Early intervention services help children from birth to 3 years of age (36 months) learn important skills. Services include therapy to help the child talk, walk, and interact with others. Therefore, it is important to talk to your child’s doctor as soon as possible if you think your child has a FAS or other developmental problem. In a majority of states, children with a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are immediately eligible for early intervention services.
Types of treatments
Several types of treatments are available for people with FAS. They can generally be broken down into five categories:
- Medical care
- Medication
- Behavior and education therapy
- Parent training
- Alternative approaches
Medical care for children with Fetal alcohol syndrome
People with FAS have the same health and medical needs as people without FAS. Like everyone else, they need well-baby care, vaccinations, good nutrition, exercise, hygiene, and basic medical care. But, for people with FAS, concerns specific to the disorder must also be monitored and addressed either by a current doctor or through referral to a specialist. The types of treatments needed will be different for each person and depend upon the person’s symptoms.
Types of Medical specialists
Types of medical specialists might include:
- Pediatrician
- Primary care provider
- Geneticist/Dysmorphologist
- Otolaryngologist
- Audiologist
- Immunologist
- Neurologist
- Mental health professionals (child psychiatrist and psychologist, school psychologist, behavior management specialist)
- Ophthalmologist
- Plastic surgeon
- Endocrinologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Nutritionist
- Speech-language pathologist
- Occupational therapist
- Physical therapist
Medication for children with Fetal alcohol syndrome
No medications have been approved specifically to treat FAS. But, several medications can help improve some of the symptoms of FAS. For example, medication might help manage high energy levels, inability to focus, or depression.
Medications
Following are some examples of medications used to treat FAS symptoms:
- Stimulants: This type of medication is used to treat symptoms such as hyperactivity, problems paying attention, and poor impulse control, as well as other behavioral issues.
- Antidepressants: This type of medication is used to treat symptoms such as sad mood, loss of interest, sleep problems, school disruption, negativity, irritability, aggression, and anti-social behaviors.
- Neuroleptics: This type of medication is used to treat symptoms such as aggression, anxiety, and certain other behavior problems.
- Anti-anxiety drugs: This type of medication is used to treat symptoms of anxiety.
Medications can affect each child differently. One medication might work well for one child, but not for another.
Behavior and education therapy
Behavior and education therapies can be important parts of treatment for children with FAS. Although there are many different types of therapy for children with developmental disabilities, only a few have been scientifically tested specifically for children with FAS:
Good buddies
Children with FAS often have difficulty learning subtle social skills from their own experiences. This intervention uses a group format to teach age-appropriate social skills over 12 weekly sessions for parent and child.
Families moving forward (FMF)
This intervention is most appropriate for children with severe, clinically significant behavior problems based in part on positive behavior support techniques. It is a feasible, low-intensity, a sustained model of supportive consultation with a parent or caregiver (rather than directly with the child). The intervention lasts 9 to 11 months, with at least 16 every-other-week sessions, typically lasting 90 minutes each. Services are carried out by mental health providers with specialized training.
Math interactive learning experience (MILE)
Deficits in mathematical functioning have been reported consistently among alcohol-affected individuals. Children complete 6 weeks of one-to-one tutoring using specifically adapted materials eg, vertical number lines, timers, etc. that are appropriate to their academic level. Parents also receive training on behavioral regulation techniques to optimize the child’s readiness to learn.
Parents and children together (PACT)
Building upon techniques developed from the brain injury literature, this intervention used 12 weekly sessions with parents and children to address and improve behavior regulation and executive function that is, planning, organizing, and understanding of others. It uses a particularly engaging metaphor of “how does my engine run” to teach children awareness of their current behavioral state and specific techniques for optimizing that state for the current situation.
Training for parents of children diagnosed with Fetal alcohol syndrome
Children with FAS might not respond to the usual parenting practices. Parent training has been successful in educating parents about their child’s disability and about ways to teach their child many skills and help them cope with their FAS-related symptoms.
Parenting tips
Although each child is unique, the following parenting tips can be helpful:
- Concentrate on your child’s strengths and talents
- Accept your child’s limitations
- Remember, much of your child’s challenging behavior is because of brain-based challenges rather than willful misbehavior
- Be consistent with everything (discipline, school, behaviors)
- Use concrete language and examples
- Use stable routines that do not change daily
- Keep it simple
- Be specific-say exactly what you mean
- Structure your child’s world to provide a foundation for daily living
- Use visual aids, music, and hands-on activities to help your child learn
- Use positive reinforcement often (praise, incentives)
- Supervise: friends, visits, routines
- Repeat, repeat, and repeat
Families might need support from a family counselor or therapist. Parents might also benefit from local support groups, in which parents of children with FAS can discuss concerns, ask questions, and find encouragement.
Directory for resources
Check with one of the following resources in the directory below to find support in your area:
National and State Resource Directoryexternal icon from the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
Alternative approaches
Before starting such a treatment, check it out carefully, and talk to your child’s doctor. Your child’s doctor will help you weigh the risks and benefits of these therapies.
Alternative treatments
Some of the alternative treatments used for people with FAS include:
- Biofeedback
- Auditory training
- Relaxation therapy, visual imagery, and meditation (especially for sleep problems and anxiety)
- Creative art therapy
- Yoga and exercise
- Acupuncture and acupressure
- Massage, Reiki, and energy healing
- Vitamins, herbal supplements, and homeopathy
- Animal-assisted therapy
Siddha remedies for children diagnosed with Fetal alcohol syndrome
1. Siddha preventive measures
Everybody must practice Siddha preventive measures, whether a person is affected with fetal alcohol syndrome or not, but preventive measures are the primary steps for switching on to any other Siddha remedies, and hence they are important. It helps in one’s capability, effectiveness, and productivity, decision making power, intellectuality, and removing minor health problems. There are three types of preventive measures:
- Earthing – performed for earthing the negativity of our body
- Field Cleaning – cleans the energy field (Aura) of our body
- Siddha Brain Exercise/Energizing – energizes our brain for proper functionality
Everybody’s tendency is to get attracted to the word ‘free‘, however, don’t neglect even these Siddha preventive measures are free. Avail of the benefits by practicing them sincerely, and regularly. For the ease of understanding what Siddha preventive measures are, please watch a video for a live demonstration.
2. Siddha Shaktidata Yog
This unique Siddha Shaktidata Yog of Siddha Spirituality can solve the problems related to fetal alcohol syndrome with Siddha remedies. There is no compulsion of training of ‘Swami Hardas Life System’ methods. This not only gives benefits to self but also it can be used for other affected persons, whether a person is in the same house, distantly available in the same city, same nation, or might be in any corner of the world, however, both the procedures have been explained here.
3. Siddha Kalyan Sadhana
Recite this Sadhana with a Sankalp “My problems of the fetal alcohol syndrome are solved as early as possible and I should gain health”, which should be repeated in mind 3 – 3 times every after each stanza. Any person irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, sex, and age can recite this Sadhana for free, which should be repeated at least twice in a day. To know more, please click on this link.
4. CCPE products
These products work on the concepts of ‘Conceptual Creative Positive Energy’ (CCPE) within the provisions of the ‘CCPE Life System’ and the theory of Quantum Technology to a certain extent. However, the products get activated only whenever touched by a human and then they become capable of solving the problem and achieving health. However, please use these products for fetal alcohol syndrome as mentioned below:
CCPE Extractor: The CCPE Extractor should be gently moved over the Agya Chakra in a circular motion at least for 30 to 60 seconds, thereafter, follow the same process on the head, throat, chest, and naval for another 30 to 60 seconds, which finishes within almost 3 – 6 minutes.
CCPE Booster: Keep one Booster over the Agya Chakra and another one each over the head, throat, chest, and naval for 3 minutes. You may need to have 5 Boosters, which establishes positivity.
5. A daily routine for Fetal alcohol syndrome
In general, a daily routine may look like this:
- Increase physical activities e.g. exercise, walking, swimming, and consume Sattvik diet, etc
- Help the child to perform breathing exercises regularly
- Apply free Siddha remedies a minimum 3 times a day, as explained above
- Chant any mantra as per your religion or belief while lying down for better sleep
- In case, if parents of such children wish to learn advanced methods of Swami Hardas Life System, undergo unique training
- Parents of such children should perform Swayamsiddha Agnihotra daily, if feasible
Ensure to sprinkle in some fun during the day: Don’t forget to relax and laugh in between. Laughing is a great way to boost your immune system and help you.
Along with all the above activities, apply above explained free Siddha remedies minimum 3 times a day, the more is good. Just try the methods of Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System. I am confident that you will surely find improvements within 30 days.
Training of Swami Hardas Life System
Any problem with regard to health, peace, and progress can be solved independently without money and medicines by undergoing training of Swami Hardas Life System. Any person irrespective of religion, caste, creed, faith, sex, and age can undergo this unique training.
Conclusion
In view of the above, I am confident that you have learned about fetal alcohol syndrome, signs, risk factors, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatments, and Siddha remedies. Now, you have become self-sufficient, hence it’s the right time to use your acquired knowledge for solving problems as per the provision available in Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System.
However, keep learning and practicing the free Siddha remedies, which would help guide how to solve various problems regarding health, peace, and progress, without money and medicines.
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DISCLAIMER
The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the concerned site owners. Siddha Spirituality For Health is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. However, it is advisable to consult a specialist in the concerned field before availing of the benefits. Hence we do not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Reference:
- https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fetal_alcohol_syndrome
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/treatments.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352901#:~:text=Fetal%20alcohol%20syndrome%20is%20a,alcohol%20syndrome%20are%20not%20reversible.
- https://www.sonashomehealth.com/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/
Wonderful and educative article for women. Infact I was also unaware about drinking alcohol during pregnancy and its harmful effects on baby. Thanks for such a helpful article. May God bless you.
Thanks a lot, Madam! Indeed, FAS must be read by every woman who is optimistic about getting pregnant. Alcohol not only ruins a child’s life but also the mother herself. However, at large, India’s culture does not allow to do so and most of the mothers do take all precautions during pregnancy. This article is trying all such women to educate and avoid alcohol during not only pregnancy but also during breastfeeding. After all it’s a question of child’s health!!!