Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a combination of mental and physical defects that can develop in a fetus as a result of excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and negatively impacts the growth of the fetus causing facial stigmata, damaged neurons and brain structures, which results in psychological and/or behavioral problems.
FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. Developing brain cells and structures that have development interrupted by alcohol exposure; potentially create an array of primary cognitive and functional impairments.
Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of intellectual disability in the United States and Europe.
FAS prevalence rate is estimated to be between 0.2-1.5 in every 1000 live births. The lifetime medical and social costs of FAS are estimated to be as high as US $800,000 per child born with the disorder.
Alcohol crosses the placental barrier and negatively impacts the growth of the fetus causing facial stigmata, damaged neurons and brain structures, which results in psychological and/or behavioral problems.
FAS is permanent central nervous system damage, especially to the brain. Developing brain cells and structures that have development interrupted by alcohol exposure; potentially create an array of primary cognitive and functional impairments.
Fetal alcohol exposure is the leading known cause of intellectual disability in the United States and Europe.
FAS prevalence rate is estimated to be between 0.2-1.5 in every 1000 live births. The lifetime medical and social costs of FAS are estimated to be as high as US $800,000 per child born with the disorder.
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Diagnosis Several diagnostic systems have been developed in North America: * The Institute of Medicine's guidelines for FAS (1996) * The University of Washington's "The 4-Digit Diagnostic Code" * The Centers for Disease Control's "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Guidelines for Referral and Diagnosis," *Canadian guidelines for FASD diagnosis |
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To make this diagnosis a multi-disciplinary evaluation is necessary to assess each of the four key features for assessment.
- Growth deficiency — Prenatal or postnatal height or weight (or both) at or below the 10th percentile
- FAS facial features — All three FAS facial features present
- Central nervous system damage — Clinically significant structural, neurological, or functional impairment
- Prenatal alcohol exposure — Confirmed or Unknown prenatal alcohol exposure
Generally, a trained physician will determine growth deficiency and FAS facial features. While a qualified physician may also assess central nervous system structural abnormalities and/or neurological problems, usually central nervous system damage is determined through psychological assessment. A pediatric neuropsychologist may assess all areas of functioning, including intellectual, language processing, and sensorimotor.
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 Comparing the brain of a 6 week old healthy infant to a the brain of a 6 week old infant with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. |
 A simian crease is a single palmar crease as compared to two creases in a normal palm. Simian crease occurs in about 1 out of 30 normal people, but is also frequently associated with other conditions such as Down syndrome, Aarskog syndrome or fetal alcohol syndrome. |
 University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Opthamology and Visual Sciences. Child with facial characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. |
The current recommendation of the
Surgeon General of the United States
is to drink no alcohol at all during pregnancy.
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While consensus exists that alcohol is a teratogen,
there is no clear consensus as to what level of
exposure is toxic.
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