Different Types of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
A person is not diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, per se. Instead, he or she is diagnosed with one of the types of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Terms currently being used or that have been used to describe the different types of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders include:
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Partial fetal alcohol syndrome
- Fetal alcohol effects
- Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)
- Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).
Fetal alcohol syndrome is the most severe type of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Other types include conditions in which individuals have some, but not all, of the
characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be born with FAS, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities.
Characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome include:
- Abnormal facial features (smooth philtrum, thin upper lip, small eye openings)
- Growth deficiencies
- Central nervous system (CNS) problems.
People with fetal alcohol syndrome might have problems with:
- Learning
- Memory
- Attention span
- Communication
- Vision
- Hearing
- A combination of these.
These problems often lead to difficulties in school and problems getting along with others.
Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
A person with partial fetal alcohol syndrome has facial anomalies and other symptoms without the other characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome.
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