Using Fetal Alcohol Syndrome as an Example, Discuss the Vulnerability and Plasticity of Brain Development

Fetal alcohol syndrome may be seen as a consequence of an external environmental influence on the internal physiological environment of the developing fetus. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a birth defect which is a result of maternal alcohol consumption. This toxic effect of alcohol could lead to long –term effects on the physical, cognitive, behavioral and psychological development of the child (Chetty, 2003). This essay aims to use fetal alcohol syndrome as an example when discussing the vulnerability and plasticity of an infant or child’s brain development. This essay will basically discuss the effects of this teratogenic substance on brain development during the prenatal period which refers to the baby’s development during pregnancy as well as the postnatal period which refers to the baby’s development after birth (Chetty, 2003).

Fetal alcohol syndrome can be difficult to diagnose at and after birth. The symptoms include poor growth during and after pregnancy. These children also have a diminished muscle tone, lack of coordination, heart complications and structural problems with their face. Their performance and motor skills are impaired and their Intelligence is diminished allowing the average IQ level to be in the 60s which is considered to be a form of mild mental retardation. All of these symptoms are caused by alcohol intake by the pregnant mother. However, alcohol itself may not be directly accountable for all of the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome. Other accountable causes are byproducts produced when the body metabolizes alcohol; the final results are a reduction in the number of neurons, irregular position of neurons this may be due to the interruption of their normal migration during fetal development, and unpleasant malformation of the brain (Peristein, 1996).

Shockingly in today’s time there are still a few physicians who are under the misconception that low levels of alcohol will not harm the fetus. They believe that a low level of alcohol does...