Fetal Alcohol Syndrome & Spectrum Disorders / FAS FASD Video

August 3rd, 2008


Over 375,000 newborn babies have been exposed to drugs in utero. The film promotes zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and drugs for all pregnant women. This film describes the effects of exposure to alcohol and drugs on the fetus during pregnancy. The purpose is to promote awareness of the problem among teenagers who are at risk for both unplanned pregnancy and substance use. Medical experts offer information and mothers of drug-exposed babies share their stories. A foursome of engaging young people present an in-depth exploration of the growing problem of prenatal alcohol and other drug abuse. Produced in the stylish, fast-paced format popular with today's teens, this gripping film take a serious, no-holds-barred look at what happens when pregnant women use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. The film includes an examination of prenatal drug and alcohol abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome, nicotine's effect on unborn babies, risks for AIDS, SIDS and FAS, drug effects at various stages of pregnancy, how drugs affect unborn babies and other relation social and emotional problems. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and a spectrum of associated disorders, sometimes called Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), is a permanent birth defect caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The term fetal alcohol effects (FAE) or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) is applied to children whose mothers are known to have drunk heavily during pregnancy and who exhibit some, but not all, features of alcohol-related facial malformation. FASD is the leading cause of mental retardation in the Western world and is entirely preventable. It has been estimated that one in 1000 children born suffers from FAS, and one in 100 suffers milder effects (FAE) of maternal prenatal alcohol exposure. Fetal Marijuana Syndrome (FMS) is also briefly discussed. This public service announcement film, "...And Down Will Come Baby," is produced by the Scott Newman Center and is publically funded by the U.S. Department of Education under a Drug Free School and Communities Act grant, paid for by the American taxpayers and tax-paying businesses and republished here as a public domain video for the general public. For more information on the Scott Newman Center, pleasee see: http://www.scottnewmancenter.org/pamphlets.html

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