Symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)

Physical problems associated with FASD include the following:

• low birth weight and small head size
• face and mouth deformities
• flat shape of the face
• delayed growth
• bone, joint, or muscle problems
• hearing or vision problems
• genital, heart, or kidney problems

Examples of facial deformities include underdevelopment of the lower jaw and smaller than normal eye openings. A baby might not have these abnormalities from birth. In fact, problems with facial development usually begin to show between eight months and eight years of age.

There may be more subtle cognitive or behavioural problems, such as:

• mental retardation (IQ below 70); however, most children with FASD have IQs in the normal range
• slow learning, short attention span, hyperactivity, or memory problems
• learning disabilities, especially with reading, comprehension, and abstract math
• delays or lack of abilities in speech and language; for example, the child may have receptive language disorder, interrupt, or talk out of context
• lack of executive function skills, including difficulties with organization, planning, and reasoning
• inabilities to manage money, for example, by saving and budgeting
• inability to understand cause and effect
• sensory integration problems: sensitivity to touch or needing more touch than other children, hating bright lights or noise, noticing smells more than others
• irritability, aggressive behaviour, mental illness such as depression, anger control problems

Because these conditions may range from minor to severe, the old term “fetal alcohol syndrome” has been replaced by “fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.”

These conditions usually do not become apparent until a few years after the child is born, for example, when he starts school. If allowed to continue untreated, they can lead to other problems such as mental health issues, trouble with the law, inappropriate sexual behaviour, and alcohol or drug problems.

Notes: FCbinderMD

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EditText of this page (last edited August 30, 2010)