Summary
- Considered a spectrum of disorders that includes fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol-related birth defects.
- Caused by fetal exposure to alcohol during pregnancy.
- Early diagnosis may prevent secondary disabilities, but many clinicians are unaware of, or are confused by, existing diagnostic criteria and terminology.
- Management involves identifying and working with a child's specific strengths and weaknesses; however, there is a paucity of evidence for efficacy of specific treatments.
- Prevention is a priority, as brain injury sustained in utero is permanent and is associated with severe physical, behavioural, learning, and mental health problems.
Other related conditions
- Depression
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
- Alcohol abuse
- Assessment of hearing loss
- Personality disorders
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Cleft lip and palate
- Strabismus
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Failure to thrive
- Depression in children
- Overview of chronic alcoholism
- Phenylketonuria
- Assessment of vision loss
- Scoliosis
- Overview of substance abuse and overdose
- Assessment of psychosis
- Atrial septal defects
- Ventricular septal defects
Last updated: Dec 17, 2012
