We are featuring a childhood/infant disease or condition informational post every other Friday. Today's topic is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs).
Definition
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.
Characteristics and Behaviors of Children with FASD
- Abnormal facial features, such as a smooth ridge between the nose and upper lip (this ridge is called the philtrum)
- Small head size
- Shorter-than-average height
- Low body weight
- Poor coordination
- Hyperactive behavior
- Difficulty paying attention
- Poor memory
- Difficulty in school (especially with math)
- Learning disabilities
- Speech and language delays
- Intellectual disability or low IQ
- Poor reasoning and judgment skills
- Sleep and sucking problems as a baby
- Vision or hearing problems
- Problems with the heart, kidney, or bones
To get more information about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, click here.
*Most of the information provided here is from the CDC site, click here to visit their site.
