What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

I have had many requests from readers and friends to address the topic of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome more in depth.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most clinically recognized form of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. It is typically characterized by facial features, prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, and central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities.

The consequences of FAS are lifelong, and the behavioral and learning difficulties are greater than the neurocognitive impairment.

Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) is also a clinically recognizable diagnosis in the continuum of FASD and describes the clinical outcome when the facial features typical of FAS are not there. It also describes the functional or mental impairments linked to prenatal alcohol exposure, such as behavioral or cognitive abnormalities including learning difficulties, poor school performance, poor impulse control, and problems with mathematical skills, memory, attention, and/or judgment, thus the neurological impairment.

Additionally, Alcohol-related Birth Defects (ARBD) describes malformations of the skeletal system and major organ systems, such as defects of the heart, kidneys, bones, and/or auditory system.

Unfortunately, FAS affects up to one percent of the U.S. population but is entirely preventable. In fact, it is the number one cause of mental retardation.

In Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 30 (30), researchers found that out of over half the residents of the baby homes in Murmansk, Russia, 45% had intermediate and 13% had high phenotypic expression scores suggesting prenatal exposure to alcohol.

Despite good physical care, stable daily routine, availability of well-trained specialists, and access to medical care, these vulnerable children show significant growth and developmental delays compared with their institutionalized peers. Phenotypic expression scores were devised based on facial dysmorphology and other readily observable physical findings.

Growth measurements from birth, time of placement in the baby home, and at present were analyzed. In addition, the charts of 64% of the children were randomly selected for retrospective review. Information collected included maternal, medical, developmental, and social histories.

Great Links:
National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Adopting.org (implications for adoptive families)
FAS Link
FAS Community Resource Center
March of Dimes
Do2Learn
FASD Center
Bright Tomorrow
FASD, Now What?