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Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of several syndromes within a group of disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), where a child experiences issues with growth, central nervous system problems, facial feature differences, and problems with attention span, learning, vision, and hearing. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders result from a fetus being exposed to alcohol in the womb.
Having a fetal spectrum disorder can have profound effects on a person’s health, behavior, and overall well-being. Additionally, it can have mental health side effects and often results in psychiatric disorders.
Here, we’ll take a close look at the impacts that fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, in general, can have on the mental health of people who are affected.
What Are the Four Types of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome is one of four disorders that comprise fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). It’s estimated that FASD affects about 3-5% of infants born in the United States.
The four types of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which involves issues with growth, central nervous system problems, facial feature differences, and problems with attention span, learning, vision, and hearing
Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure, which causes problems with memory, planning, attention span, behavior, mood swings, and daily functioning
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects, which can include issues with hearing, kidneys, heart, bones, or a combination of these issues
Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder, which can cause intellectual disabilities and problems with behavior
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