How do you rule out fetal alcohol syndrome?

To diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome, doctors look for unusual facial features, lower-than-average height and weight, small head size, problems with attention and hyperactivity, and poor coordination. They also try to find out whether the mother drank while they were pregnant and if so, how much.

What are the three signs of fetal alcohol syndrome?

Symptoms

• Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip.
• Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers.
• Slow physical growth before and after birth.
• Vision difficulties or hearing problems.

Are people with fetal alcohol syndrome smart?

The severity of the dysmorphic features was related to degree of mental deficiency; children with the most severe manifestations of FAS had an average IQ of 55, whereas children with lesser manifestations had an average IQ of 82.

What is Arnd?

Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND). Children with ARND may have learning and behavior problems. These may include problems with math, memory or attention, and impulse control or judgment. They may also do poorly in school.

What’s the difference between FAS and FASD?

FASD is a broader diagnosis that encompasses patients with FAS and others who are affected by prenatal alcohol exposure but do not meet the full criteria for FAS.

During which stage of pregnancy does drinking alcohol put the fetus at most risk?

Any drinking during pregnancy increases the odds of fetal alcohol syndrome, but the risk to the fetus is highest if a pregnant woman drinks during the second half of her first trimester of pregnancy, a new study finds.

Can you see fetal alcohol syndrome in an ultrasound?

If your doctor knows about your alcohol use, he or she can order a test (ultrasound) to look for signs of FAS in your baby, such as heart defects or growth delays. The cause of problems that are found during the test may not be clear.

What are railroad track ears?

“Railroad track” ears: The top part (curve) of the outer ear is underdeveloped, folded over, and parallel to the curve beneath it, giving the appearance of a railroad track.

What is the average IQ of a child with FAS is?

In a sample of 20 patients with the fetal alcohol syndrome, ages 9 months to 21 years, the average IQ was 65, with a range of 16 to 105; 60% of the patients had IQ’s more than two standard deviations below the mean.

What is FASD symptoms?

Symptoms of FASD. The symptoms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can include facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies, skeletal deformities, organ deformities, central nervous system handicaps and behavioral problems in later life.

How is FASD related to autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) may share characteristics, such as strong sensory interests and aversions, cognitive delays, and deficits in executive functioning and adaptive skills.

How does fetal alcohol spectrum disorder ( FASD ) work?

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems.

Can a child be mislabeled as having FASD?

However, many children who are exposed in utero to alcohol do not exhibit the overt physical abnormalities of FAS. Often, these children are mislabeled with disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) because of some of the similarities in their behavioral dysfunction (for a comparison between ADD and FASD, see Chapter 5).