Can a child be born with Wet Brain? If so, is it caused by the father or the mother, or both, if both abuse alcohol?
Answer
No, a child cannot be born with wet brain (Wernicke-korsakoff Syndrome). However, a child can be born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) which has very different symptoms to wet brain syndrome in adults. The only real similarity is that both syndromes have a major impact on the neurological system.
Many think Fetal Alcohol Syndrome occurs because the mother abused alcohol when she was pregnant. This may be the case, however, there have been a number of incidents when a baby/child has presented the symptoms of FAS and the mother did not abuse alcohol but DID drink moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant. That is why most health care professionals now advise mothers-to-be not to drink at all while expecting a child
Some of the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome include:
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- A lack of growth, both before and after birth.
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- Learning difficulties, behavioral problems (such as ADHD), skull/head abnormalities, below average I.Q. and retarded development
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- Abnormalities of facial features are common among those with F.A.S. Such abnormalities include narrow eyes, a thin top lip and a flatter and longer than normal mid-face
With Fetal Alcohol syndrome the full potential of the fetus is stolen by the mother’s alcohol use/abuse. The unborn child has no choice in the matter. With Wet Brain Syndrome, however, the adult chooses (to a certain degree) to sacrifice his/her own cognitive abilities for their addiction.
For more on the symptoms of, and treatment for Wet Brain Syndrome, read Wet Brain.
I am a Mental Health Counselor who is licensed in both New York (LMHC) and North Carolina (LCMHC). I have been working in the Mental Health field since 2015. I have worked in a residential setting, an outpatient program and an inpatient addictions program. I began working in Long Island, NY and then in Guelph, Ontario after moving to Canada. I have since settled in North Carolina. I have experience working with various stages of addiction, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, stages of life concerns and relationship concerns.
I tend to use a person-centered approach which simply means that I meet you where you are and work collaboratively to help you identify and work towards accomplishing goals. I will often pull from CBT when appropriate. I do encourage use of mindfulness and meditation and practice these skills in my own life. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity and compassion.
I recognize that reaching out for help is hard and commend you for taking the first step. We have professionals available who would be happy to help you move closer to reaching your goals related to your drinking concerns. You may reach these professionals by calling 877-322-2694.