2. Alcohol
Alcohol is created when grains, fruits, or
vegetables are fermented. Fermentation is
a process that uses yeast or bacteria to
change the sugars in the food into alcohol.
Fermentation is used to produce many
necessary items — everything from cheese
to medications.
3. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
is a pattern of mental and physical defects that can
develop in a fetus in association with high levels of
alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Current
research also implicates other lifestyle choices
made by the prospective mother. Indications for
lower levels of alcohol are inconclusive.
5. Diagnosis
Growth deficiency — Prenatal or postnatal height or weight
(or both) at or below the 10th percentile
FAS facial features — All three FAS facial features present
Central nervous system damage — Clinically significant
structural, neurological, or functional impairment
Prenatal alcohol exposure — Confirmed or Unknown
prenatal alcohol exposure
6. Dental Correlation
The first step in the management of a dental patient with FAS
is recognition of the condition. This is best accomplished via
the medical history and open discussion with the patient or
family members. Once a patient with FAS is identified, the
dental practitioner must learn as much as possible about the
history of the patient, including type and extent of systemic
manifestations, current medications, frequency of physician
visits, degree of control, and any known contributing
factors.11
7. Consultation with the patients physician is suggested before
dental care is provided to patients with systemic problems
resulting from FAS. Problems generally do not occur in
providing outpatient dental care if the patients systemic
complications are well controlled and conservative medical
care is being provided. However, if the patient is in the
advanced stages of organ failure from complications of FAS
or has other systemic diseases (e.g., CNS
disturbances, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or congestive
heart failure), dental care may best be provided after
physician consultations and in a hospital-like setting.
8. Treatment
There is no cure for FAS, because the CNS damage creates
a permanent disability, but treatment is possible. Because
CNS damage, symptoms, secondary disabilities, and needs
vary widely by individual, there is no one treatment type that
works for everyone.
