Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

What is "fetal alcohol syndrome"?

Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a newborn who manifests signs, either physically or behaviorally, that are indicative of significant exposure to alcohol during the course of the pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome happens to be the leading cause of mental retardation in the United States, and it accounts for about $3 billion in health care costs annually.

What are the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome?

Fetal alcohol syndrome refers to a constellation of symptoms, including physical appearance and behavioral patterns that become evident over time. Fetal alcohol syndrome can either be more dramatic or less dramatic depending on the degree that that child is affected. Some of the classic findings in children with fetal alcohol syndrome are in the facial appearance: they have a very flat lip, their eyes may look a little different and they often have smaller heads when compared to other healthy newborns. Behaviorally, theses individuals have varying degrees of mental retardation and are often agitated, slow learners and have difficulty with memory. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a composite picture that would include some or all of those features.