What type of disability is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

What type of disability is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and related disorders such as Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) are the most common form of developmental disability and birth defects in the western world.

Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome a behavioral or biological disorder?

Babies exposed to alcohol in the womb can develop fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These disorders include a wide range of physical, behavioral, and learning problems. The most severe type of FASD is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). It is caused by heavy drinking during pregnancy.

Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome a genetic disorder?

Are FASDs genetic or hereditary? There is no evidence that FASDs are genetic or hereditary. FASDs can only happen if a woman consumes alcohol during a pregnancy. A woman who has an FASD does not have greater risk of having a child with an FASD unless she consumes alcohol during her pregnancy.

Is fetal alcohol syndrome a chronic illness?

CHRONIC DISEASE RISK AND GENETIC RISK FACTORS IN FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are chronic, debilitating conditions that affect up to 5% of infants born in the United States.

How do you know if you have fetal alcohol syndrome?

Symptoms

1. Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip.
2. Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers.
3. Slow physical growth before and after birth.
4. Vision difficulties or hearing problems.

Does alcohol cause sperm defects?

The bad news. Alcohol can affect fertility by altering sperm count, size, shape, and motility. In men, heavy drinking affects fertility by: lowering testosterone levels, follicle stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone, and raising estrogen levels, which reduce sperm production.