FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

The purpose of this paper is to explore the existing research on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome for studies which have examined how giving birth to an FAS child affects mothers' psychological status. So that this review of the existing research may be fully understood, it is necessary to provide a brief description of the syndrome. In this regard, Streissguth, Landesman-Dwyer, Martin and Smith (l980) have noted that Fetal Alcohol Syndrome refers to a cluster of congenital defects observed in children of alcohol abusing mothers. Most commonly, these defects include: flattened noses, widely separated eyes, tiny heads, low birth weights, and varying degrees of mental retardation.

One of the first things that can be noticed in any attempt to explore the literature on the psychological ramifications of giving birth to an FAS child is the paucity of such studies. One reason for this paucity is that the syndrome has only recently been recognized. This fact is addressed by the NIAAA Director of scientific affairs in an article he wrote for Alcohol Health and Research World. Specifically, the Director states that:

In l968, birth defects in l27 children of alcoholic

parents were reported in a medical journal published in France. Not until l973, however, was a specific pattern of neonatal defects described and given a name---fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Only three scientific

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both before and after delivery, alcohol abusing women appear to be very sensitive to language that has elements of either sacrifice or guilt. They note that therapists who relate through such language are going to set up barriers to effective treatment. The authors feel that the sensitivity to guilt should be understood within the context of the fact that female alcohol abuse is a highly stigmatized disorder; and that the most stigmatized female in this already stigmatized group is the woman who exposes her unborn child to alcohol. Some insight into the psychological consequences of giving birth to an FAS child is provided in an article by Rogan (l985) In particular, Rogan notes that one long- standing observance with respect to alcohol abusing mothers who have FAS children is 4. an impairment or disruption of bonding which, frequently, manifests itself in child abuse and neglect. Regarding this impairment of bonding, Rogan notes that it: ...is, perhaps, the result of increased feelings of guilt on the part of the mother, or the limited tolerance many problem-drinking women have for stress, and on the cranky and often difficult behavior patterns of FAS and FAE babies (
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Approximate Word count = 1584
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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