Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition that results when a fetus is exposed to alcohol. If a mother drinks alcohol while pregnant, she is taking a risk that her baby will have fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause severe physical, mental and behavioral problems. Symptoms vary per case, but defects are permanent.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184

FAS is preventable—it will not occur if the mother abstains from alcohol. As many as 40,000 babies are born with some kind of alcohol-related condition each year in the United States. If a parent suspects that their child may have fetal alcohol syndrome, they should consult with a doctor immediately. Problems associated with fetal alcohol syndrome can be reduced with early detection.http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-use.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184

FAS is a cluster of problems, not a single condition. Many issues are possible for a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. FAS is one of the most common causes of mental retardation. The level of severity varies from one child to another. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=symptoms

Other signs and symptoms of FAS include:

• Small eyes with a short distance between the inner and outer corners of the eyes
• Very thin upper lip
• Short, upturned nose
• Smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (smooth philtrum)
• Heart defects
• Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers
• Slow physical growth before and after birth
• Vision difficulties or hearing problems
• Small head circumference and brain size known as microcephaly
• Poor coordination
• Sleep problems
• Short attention span
• Hyperactivity
• Poor impulse control
• Extreme nervousness and anxietyhttp://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/diagnosis.html http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=symptoms

There are other terms that may be used when describing some of the signs of fetal alcohol syndrome. Doctors will refer to alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) when they are talking about mental and behavioral impairments. Physical defects are referred to as alcohol-related birth defects (ARBDs).http://www.nofas.org/faqs.aspx?id=17 http://www.nofas.org/faqs.aspx?id=18

If a doctor knows that a mother drank alcohol during her pregnancy, they can watch for symptoms of FAS. The sooner a doctor knows that the mother was drinking, the sooner the baby can be evaluated. Evaluation can occur as early as the initial weeks of life, as well as months or years later.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis To make a diagnosis, these issues will be assessed:

• Growth
• Facial features
• Heart defects
• Hearing
• Vision
• Cognitive ability
• Language development
• Motor skills
• Behaviorhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

Children with FAS are often referred to a medical genetics specialist to rule out other disorders that have similar symptoms to FAS. If one child in a family is diagnosed with FAS, other children in the household are also usually assessed for fetal alcohol syndrome.http://www.nofas.org/faqs.aspx?id=4 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis

There is no specific treatment for FAS. Any defects related to fetal alcohol syndrome are typically permanent. Surgery is needed to correct some physical defects such as heart problems. Many children with FAS qualify for special education services. A referral is made for family therapy to help parents cope with any of the child's behavior issues related to FAS.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fetal-alcohol-syndrome/DS00184/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.