Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome truth or fiction?

Question

I recently heard on a radio show about a book that explains how FAS is a myth created by prohibitionists in order to make alcohol look bad. The scientists actually falsified their findings. The author's sources are supposedly confirmed. I know that in Europe, alcohol is actually prescribed by doctors for pregnant women. Opinions?

Binge drinking is never good for anyone. It is fact that doctors in Europe do prescribe it. What I mean is, a mother who is not a heavy drinker, someone who drinks lightly and socially. Many of the FAS articles that I've read say any amount of alcohol can cause FAS.

Answer 1

One serving of alcohol a day does not show signs of effecting the growing fetus in a major way.

In fact, for many years doctors encouraged pregnant women to have a beer in the evening to calm their stomachs, and because therer are so many beneficial things in beer.

But studies show that while it doesnt harm the baby, it also doesnt benefit the baby.

THAT ASIDE, drinking more than one serving of alcohol (servings in relation to the size of the person, each person metabolizes alcohol differently) a day, especially if that alcohol effects you in anyway, even the slightest tingling of the fingers or dull haze, HAS proven to retard the growth of the fetus.

This results in severe birth defects. Anything from missing limbs to learning disabilities.

My cousin was born with a deformed eye ball that had to be removed because his mother was a drunk and drank heavily with both him and his brother. Both have severe learning and development issues as a result.

So yes, what they warn against is true.

Answer 2

I have seen the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. They are real. The developing fetus is very susceptible to toxins, alcohol being very neurotoxic. This is not to make alcohol look bad. It is bad for the developing fetus. If you have ever seen a child who was exposed to alcohol in utero struggle with a learning disability or speech pathology or low intelligence you would not be asking this question. A child with FAS has very specific facial features that are identifiable. Mix that with smoking and it can really cause a baby problems. Add in low birth weight, prematurity and respiratory problems because of underdeveloped lungs. No one is making that up.

Answer 3

I don't base my decision on what scientists suggest about this. And, being a man, I don't really need an opinion. But on this issue I don't think a pregnant woman should be drinking alcohol while pregnant.

Since every person and every pregnancy is unique, I prefer to err on the side of caution and keep alcohol - and drugs - away from the body. Why take the risk? The child to be has the right to choose whether they do drugs or alcohol.

Answer 4

are you kidding me??? look up pictures of children with FAS. they all have similar characteristics. A specific pattern of minor anomalies that includes a characteristic face, generally defined as short palpebral fissures (eye slits), a flat mid face, a short upturned nose, a smooth or a long philtrum (the ridges running between the nose and the lips), and a thin upper lip, and lowered ears.

the reason they have these characteristics is because the mothers are drinking throughout the pregnancy and everyday something new is being made. so the day when the ears are supposed to move up, they don't because alcohol is affecting the development. and the mother is drinking on the day that the lips are forming so the top lip can't develop properly.

children with FAS also have big empty spots in their brain because their mothers were drinking on the days that their brain was developing.

Answer 5

There was a story/joke that went around when I was younger, re. "In (English) hospitals, you get a pint of Guinness a day in the maternity ward, and two pints in the burn ward. It's almost worth burning yourself for!"

Things did not, no, used to be nearly so paranoid, and Europeans are nowhere near as uptight about booze and pregnancy as the Americans. (I notice that Americans are bizarrely susceptible to interventions, episiotomies, unnecessary c-sections, etc, though.)

Anyway, I highly recommend this site:

http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/FetalAlcoholSyndrome.html

FAS a myth? No.

Pictures, etc: http://www.answers.com/topic/fetal-alcohol-syndrome

But, that very small amounts of booze will cause it? Yes, that's a myth.

Answer 6

It is very real. My cousin (who has been living with us for the past two years) has FAS. It's really sad. He is five years old and still has yet to be accepted for Kindergarten. It really has effected his biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development. Unfortunately, it cannot be reversed. He will live with it the rest of his life. It's so sad people would even risk FAS. A beer over a person's life? Give me a break!

I lived in Europe (Germany and England) and I've had plenty of friends who have had children and were NEVER prescribed alcohol.

Answer 7

Alcohol is NEVER prescribed by physicians for pregnant women.

Don't believe everything you hear or read in the media. People frequently adopt controversial (and false) ideas in order to get attention and make money. Don't fall into their fallacies.

FAS is a real syndrome. If you're not sure, go to a NICU and visit some FAS babies - you'll be convinced.

Answer 8

They do not know exactly how much alcohol can do harm, that's why most doctors say to stay away from it period.... my husband's mom drank a glass of wine every day... and smoked with him, he wasn't the healthiest baby- and a low birth weight, but he also didn't have fetal alcohol syndrome... I personally didn't chance it during my pregnancy... stayed away from it entirely. Why risk doing harm to your precious baby? you could do harm by drinking just one glass, they don't know for sure. I say it's truth.

Answer 9

FAS is very real!!! Any alcohol is best avoided to be on the safest side because there's no real way to tell how it's going to affect the baby. Some people drink a lot and everything is fine. Some hardly drink at all and their baby ends up with it.

Answer 10

It is true. Now more commonly called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.