Physician: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Can Fetal Alcohol Syndrome be distinguished by doctors and is there a test that can be performed to help with the diagnosis?

Significant exposure to alcohol during pregnancy to an infant may be associated with a broad spectrum of developmental problems that can range from learning disabilities to severe mental retardation. In order to properly make the diagnosis of Fetal alcohol syndrome, there should be documented prenatal maternal alcohol consumption as well as some of the following signs and symptoms:

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1. Fetal alcohol syndrome: growth retardation, neurodevelopment abnormalities and a characteristic pattern of facial anomalies (short palpebral fissures, flat upper lip, flat mid face)
2. ARND (alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder) does not include the facial characteristics and often does not include the growth delay.

The diagnosis of both fetal alcohol syndrome and ARND is usually made over time because the developmental delay may be in apparent until the child reaches the age of 2 or 3 years. This delay in clinical manifestations is what makes the diagnosis of FAS and ARND a medical challenge. Many times denial of alcoholism makes it even more difficult to elicit a prenatal history from the mother. Alcohol exposed children are usually placed in foster care and usually the foster parents do not have access to the medical history.

In cases of international adoption, this lack of history is even more compounded by the fact that many of these children are abandoned at birth with no birth history and the prevalence of alcohol abuse (especially in Eastern Europe ) is quite high.

Facial features of FAS should include at least two of the following:

1. Thin upper lip
2. Rounded, indistinct philtrum
3. Mid face flattening (hypoplasia) manifested by a shory and upturned nose.
4. Flat nasal bridge
5. Small palpebral fissues
6. Epicanthal folds
7. Microcephaly (small head)
8. Micrognathia (small chin)
9. Abnormal palmer creases

Growth delay may occur prenatal or postnatal period or both. The typical pattern is as follows:

Symmetrical intrauterine growth delay, which means that the child is small for gestational age in all growth parameters (weight, height, and head circumference) this is usually a result of alcohol exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy. These infants may track along their own growth curve through out the years and some of them may further lose weight for height. With good nutritional intake, many of these children catch up in the weight parameters by school age, but these children tend to have some catch up growth in the head circumference, but the usually remain at below average head size and of short stature through adulthood.

Neuro-developmental effects:

1. Severe metal retardation is rare, but mild mental retardation is common.
2. Hyperactivity, poor short term memory, and short attention span
3. Coordination disorders and poor judgment
4. Poor impulse control and delayed gross motor development
5. Sensory hypersensitivity

Behavioral problems are usually the most problematic issues that families experience. As infants, these babies are hyperirritable and have a poor wake- sleep pattern. Older children tend to become over stimulated in social situations. Sometimes this hypersensitivity can be mistaken to be mood swings or aggression. Children with FAS have a high incidence of ADHD or attention deficit disorder. Some times care givers describe these children as hard headed or anti-social.

As one can imagine, it is extremely difficult to make a diagnosis of FAS or ARBD in a patient during a live physical exam. This diagnosis is even more difficult to make in an International adoption consultation by reviewing the medical record, growth parameters and video recording. Unfortunately, there is no one test that can make the diagnosis of FAS. Diagnosis is generally made by a good history and physical examination. These disorders are life long disabilities, but with early identification and interventions, many of these children can be help to function properly in society.

by George Rogu, M.D.

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Disclaimer

The information and advice provided is intended to be general information, NOT as advice on how to deal with a particular child's situation and or problem. If your child has a specific problem you need to ask your pediatrician about it - only after a careful history and physical exam can a medical diagnosis and/or treatment plan be made. This Web site does not constitute a physician-patient relationship.

This material has been provided by AdoptionDoctors.com, an innovative adoption medicine private practice and educational service, dedicated to helping parents and adoption agencies with the complex pre-adoption medical issues of internationally adopted children. All medical interactions are performed via, e-mail, express mail, telephone, and fax. There is no need to make a live appointment or travel outside of your hometown. For more information, visit AdoptionDoctors.com or call 631-499-4114.

© George Rogu, M.D.