Introduction/DescriptionA significant health problem that exists in the current Native American population is fetal alcohol syndrome. Also known as FAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that rates within various Native American communities have been reported to be between 1.5 and 2.5 per 1,000 babies born with this disease. These statistics are significantly higher than the average of 0.2 to 1.0 per 1000 births for the rest of the U.S. population (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). Alcohol use by American Indian women has reached such a level of prevalence that they are the only ethnic group in which chronic liver disease is one of the ten leading causes of death (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services , 2007). The objective of this essay is to evaluate the specific factors that influence the use and abuse of alcohol by expectant mothers, along with the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome on children who suffer from it. Fetal alcohol syndrome is: Numerous studies have found that FAS is the most common syndrome causing completely preventable mental retardation. When alcohol is consumed during pregnancy, it acts as a teratogen, which means that it is a substance that interferes with growth and development and is capable of causing birth defects such as hearing loss, vision loss, reduced cognitive ability and motor deficiencies. A flattened midface, short nose, and thinner upper lip are also common physical anomalies (Tangient LLC, 2014). Once consumed, alcohol from the mother's bloodstream easily passes into the fetus's bloodstream. Due to their size, the fetus has a lower ability to metabolise alcohol, so it remains in its system for a longer period of time and can result in... middle of paper... lack of knowledge of the causes and effects of FAS is evident from a young age and continues visibly into adulthood. Increased rates of violence put pregnant women at risk of turning to alcohol during pregnancy as a coping mechanism for anxiety. Additionally, economic hardship, social expectations, and cultural standards can fuel cycles of alcohol use. American Indian women who abuse alcohol are at risk of directly causing fetal harm and giving birth to a baby born with fetal alcohol syndrome. Developing information targeted to younger generations of Native Americans is a starting point focused on decreasing the prevalence of alcohol abuse. These efforts are a beacon of hope not only for Native American women suffering from alcohol abuse, but also for unborn children who will not have to spend their lives living with fetal alcohol syndrome..