CHYS 2P35 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Teratology, Fetus
15 Dec 2015
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Document Summary
Fasd is a combination of mental and physical disabilities. Fasd is a lifelong condition (looks like adhd or a learning disability sometimes) Fasd is caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy: no genetic link it is acquired by mom drinking alcohol. Fasd estimated at 1 in 1000 live births. It is estimated that one in 100 people is affected by prenatal alcohol exposure (fasd or fae). A teratogen is a substance that interferes with the normal development of the fetus. Specifically, alcohol is a neurobehavioural teratogen - alcohol can damage the brain and change behaviour. The stage of pregnancy when alcohol is consumed most susceptible to toxins in first trimester. During the first trimester of pregnancy, exposure to alcohol can cause abnormalities in the physical structure of the fetus. During the third trimester, the fetus increases dramatically in length and weight and exposure to alcohol can impair the growth.
