Letter: Thwarting Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Monday, March 6, 2006 | 7:31 a.m.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) are very serious diseases that are 100 percent preventable. It causes permanent, irreversible brain damage among other health problems. The public in general need to be more aware of the long-lasting effects of this disease.

I have personal knowledge of this. I have had custody of my great niece since she was born; she is three years old now. She tested positive at birth for drugs, so Child Protective Services took custody of her and I received guardianship of her two days later. We knew something was wrong shortly after she was born. About a year later she was diagnosed with FAS. Fortunately she wasn't born with the facial deformities that can accompany FAS, but she does have the behaviors. She has recently started having seizures.

This serious problem needs to be addressed to all teenagers and to the general public. Teachers need to be educated as to what to look for. The unruly, uncooperative "bratty" child is not always a "brat."

Marnie Lankford, Carson City