Infants and children with FAS have many different problems, which can be difficult to manage. Children do best if they are diagnosed early and referred to a team of providers who can work on educational and behavioral strategies that fit the child’s needs. Tony Loneman, a character in Tommy Orange’s 2018 novel There There, was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, which he calls “the Drome”. The more alcohol you drink during pregnancy, the greater the chance of problems in your baby. There’s no known safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy, and there’s no type of alcohol that is safe. Because many people do not know they are pregnant during those first few weeks, the risk of FAS increases if you drink alcohol and have unprotected sex.

• Your baby’s brain, heart and blood vessels begin to develop in the early weeks of pregnancy, before you may know you’re pregnant.
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1,200 and 8,8,00 babies are born with FAS each year.
• Alcohol consumption could harm the developing fetus at any time during pregnancy — especially early on in the development process.
• These drops are designed to address infections or infestations directly within the ear canal.
• Many drugs can pass from the mother’s blood stream through the placenta to the fetus.
• If your dog’s ear hurts when touched or you notice signs like redness, smelly ears, and swelling, these could be signals of various ear problems.

What is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)?

Alcohol in the baby’s system can kill developing brain cells, slow growth of the brain, interfere with Alcoholics Anonymous the neural connections in the brain, and affect other organs. Often mothers who drink have poor eating habits that also affect the baby. There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. FAS is 100% preventable when a woman abstains completely from alcohol consumption during her pregnancy. Using alcohol during pregnancy is the leading cause of preventable birth defects, developmental disabilities and learning disabilities.

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Alcohol was not viewed as dangerous for pregnant people until 1973 when the diagnosis of FAS was first implemented. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not make a public awareness announcement about the side effects of alcohol use during pregnancy until 1977. There is no safe amount of alcohol at any time during pregnancy.

Medical

It is estimated that drunken fetal syndrome as many as three babies in 1,000 will have FAS. However, the rate may be three times higher in some populations. Treating ear problems involves a tailored approach based on the specific issue. This can include antibiotics for bacterial infections, surgery for conditions like ear hematomas or foreign object removal, and therapy for hearing-related problems. Maintaining good ear hygiene, routine cleaning, and regular veterinary check-ups are essential components of effective treatment and prevention. If you think there could be a problem, ask your healthcare provider for a referral to a specialist (someone who knows about FASDs).

Prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS):

Specific deformities of the head and face, heart defects, and intellectual disability are seen with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Untreated ear problems can lead to more severe complications, including chronic infections, hearing loss, and in extreme cases, damage to the ear canal or structures. Persistent discomfort may also impact your dog’s behavior, potentially causing anxiety or aggression.

• However, it requires that a mother stop using alcohol before becoming pregnant.
• People with FAS have better outcomes if they experience a supportive and loving environment during childhood.
• The risk of FASD increases with amount consumed, the frequency of consumption, and the longer duration of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, particularly binge drinking.
• Children can be diagnosed with partial forms of fetal alcohol syndrome if they show the abnormal features even when there is no clear proof that their mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.
• However, most studies have not researched FAS symptoms in people over the age of 30.

Dogs have a curious and adventurous nature, and can unknowingly get items lodged in their ear canals. Common culprits include grass seeds, small rocks, plant material like foxtails, or even insects. Dogs with upright ears, like German shepherds or Jack Russell terriers, may be more prone to this issue, but it can happen to any breed. Signs of a foreign object in your dog’s ear include excessively shaking their head, tilting it to one side, or pawing at their ear.

Most infants with FASD are irritable, have trouble eating and sleeping, are sensitive to sensory stimulation, and have a strong startle reflex. They may hyperextend their heads or limbs with hypertonia (too much muscle tone) or hypotonia (too little muscle tone) or both. Some infants may have heart defects or suffer anomalies of the ears, eyes, liver, or joints.

Ear Abnormalities Among Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

If left untreated, ear hematomas can lead to complications such as scarring and deformity of the ear. One of the primary signs of ear mites in dogs is incessant scratching at the ears. If your dog seems bothered by their ears, shakes their head frequently, or their ears appear red and inflamed, it could be an indication of an ear mite infestation.

Treatment strategies for FAS include nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. One study found life expectancy is significantly reduced compared to people without FAS (most often due to external causes such as suicide, accidents, or overdose of alcohol or drugs). Many drugs can pass from the mother’s blood stream through the placenta to the fetus. Alcohol is broken down more slowly in the immature body of the fetus than in an adult’s body. This can cause the alcohol levels to remain high and stay in the baby’s body longer.