Biopsychosocial effects of foetal alcohol syndrome among children from the Interventional Care Facility in Otwock
Aneta Sęk1, Mateusz Cybulski2, Beata Olejnik3, Elżbieta Krajewska-Kułak2
Objective: The aim of the study was to present the biopsychosocial effects of foetal alcohol syndrome among the children from the Interventional Care Facility in Otwock in the years 2012–2015. Material and methods: We analysed medical records from the years 2012 to 2015. Medical documentation consisted of the child’s stay record, psychological diagnosis, maternal interview, social interview, a round check report, medical assessment and consultation records, neurological examination reports and physiotherapist reports. The study included medical documentation of 18 girls (29%) and 44 boys (71%). In total, 62 children aged between 3 days and 1 year were included in the study group. Results: Consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is still declared by many women (69%), including 44% of mothers consuming alcohol throughout the duration of pregnancy. All children in the Interventional Care Facility had at least 2 dysmorphic facial features. Sucking dysfunction, which caused difficulty when feeding, was observed in 59 children, and dysaesthesia – in 56 children. Children with foetal alcohol syndrome were very tearful, experienced tensions (58 children), hyperactivity (59 children) as well as sleep disorders (60 children). They frequently experienced emotional disorders (60 children) and problems with establishing contact with other people (44 children). Conclusions: It was found that alcohol has teratogenic effects on the developing foetus. Any amount of alcohol consumed by a pregnant woman can cause damage to the foetus. Foetal exposure to alcohol leads to multiple disorders that occur not only in the biological, but also in the psychological sphere. The study confirmed that children with foetal alcohol syndrome suffer from multiple health problems and have difficulty functioning in society due to their “otherness”.