The key difference between fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects is that fetal alcohol syndrome occurs when a woman drinks a large amount of alcohol during pregnancy, while fetal alcohol effects occur when a woman drinks only a moderate amount of alcohol during pregnancy.
The conditions that are caused in the womb by alcohol consumption are referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The most well-known conditions are fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Fetal alcohol syndrome is a result of consuming a large amount of alcohol by a pregnant woman, while fetal alcohol effects are due to the consumption of a moderate level of alcohols by a pregnant woman.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
3. What are Fetal Alcohol Effects
4. Similarities Between Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects
5. Side by Side Comparison – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome vs Fetal Alcohol Effects in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a type of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder that occurs when the mother consumes a large amount of alcohol during pregnancy. In such situations, children suffer from birth defects. This is the most common cause of intellectual disability, and its effects are permanent. There are several symptoms arising from this condition, such as intellectual disability, malformation of the skeleton system, malformation of major organs, stunted growth, complication with the central nervous system, poor motor skills, decreased life span, memory problems, difficulty with social interaction, decreased attention span, difficulties with problem-solving, disabilities in speech and hearing, etc. Sometimes physical symptoms may also be present. A child who is suffering from this condition may have small eyes, a short nose, flat cheeks, and thin lips. These physical feature features may remain the same or fade over time.
Figure 01: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome can be severe. Therefore, the child needs immense care and treatment throughout childhood. However, it is completely preventable by refraining from alcohol during the entire pregnancy. Talking to friends and loved ones about the pregnancy may be helpful in avoiding alcohol.
According to the National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare, USA, 15% of children are affected by prenatal alcohol or illicit drug exposure each year. It estimates 1.1% to 0.5% of American children suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome.
What are Fetal Alcohol Effects?
Fetal alcohol effects (FAE) are a type of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders that occur when the mother drinks only a moderate amount of alcohol during her pregnancy. The child she gives birth to suffers from various defects. These defects are categorised into two categories as alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder (ARND) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).
Alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder refers to intellectual and behavioural defects due to alcohol. ARND include learning disabilities, short attention span, poor school performance, poor judgement, poor impulse control, memory problems, etc. Alcohol-related birth defects refer to physical malformation due to alcohol. ARBD includes affected organs such as the skeletal system, heart, kidneys, bones, and auditory system.
What are the Similarities Between Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects?
- Both are types of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
- These are due to the consumption of alcohol by the mother.
- They are both causing defects in children.
- They cause learning disabilities and problems in major organs.
What is the Difference Between Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects?
Fetal alcohol syndrome occurs in children when the mother drinks a large amount of alcohol during her pregnancy. Fetal alcohol effects occur in children when the mother drinks only a moderate amount of alcohol during her pregnancy. So, this is the key difference between fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects. When the pregnant woman drinks alcohol, she gives birth to children suffering from several defects. Moreover, the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome are more severe. But, in contrast, the symptoms of fetal alcohol effects are less severe. Thus, this is an important difference between fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.
The below infographic lists the differences between fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects in tabular form.
Summary – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome vs Fetal Alcohol Effects
One of the first things that doctors advise during pregnancy is to immediately cut out all alcohol from the diet. The conditions that are caused by alcohol consumption in the womb are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects are two types of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Fetal alcohol syndrome happens when the mother drinks a large amount of alcohol during her pregnancy. Fetal alcohol effects occur when the mother drinks only a moderate amount of alcohol during her pregnancy. Thus, this is the key difference between fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.
Reference:
1. “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.” HealthyChildren.org, Available here.
2. “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5 Apr. 2021, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” By Grace Martin – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia