The role of alcohol in the causation of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) has been firmly established. In most cases events leading to its occurrence have been set into motion prior to conception. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy, the sole causative agent of FAS, can therefore be prevented even prior to conception by implementation of preconception counseling (PCC). The present review examines the important issues involved in the implementation of PCC for the prevention of FAS which can be of immense help to the affected population.
Most of the features of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) have been replicated in experimental models. They provide an insight into the effects of alcohol on the developing embryo, however, satisfactory explanations for these effects are still not available. Certain maternal characteristics of children with FAS have been identified. However, it is not absolute as at times the most unlikely women are susceptible to problems of maternal alcoholism. The levels of awareness of FAS among the general public and health workers are inadequate. Measures need to be taken to remedy this condition.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a collection of signs and symptoms seen in some children exposed to alcohol in the prenatal period. It is characterized mainly by physical and mental retardation, craniofacial anomalies and minor joint abnormalities. However, with the increasing incidence of FAS, there is a great variation in the clinical features of FAS. This article describes in detail these clinical features. Due to ethical reasons it is not possible to perform experiments on pregnant women. Hence to study the effects of alcohol, various animal and avian experimental models have been chosen. The various experimental findings and human correlation are described. The exact mechanism by which alcohol induces its teratogenic effects is not known. The possible mechanisms are discussed. Measures to prevent the occurrence of FAS have been suggested.
Matched MeSH terms: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders/prevention & control