Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Developmental Characteristics and Directions for Further Research

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol, is the leading cause of mental retardation. It is characterized by central nervous system dysfunction, craniofacial defects, and growth retardation. The mechanism causing such abnormalities is not clear but may include the terotogenic effects of alcohol, placental dysfunction, or metabolic and nutritional factors associated with alcoholism. Long-term effects include attentional deficits, poor impulse control, significant deficits in IQ, and serious behavior problems. Numerous issues remain regarding the prevention and treatment of FAS. Among these are questions pertaining to the effects of social drinking, the impact of cultural and environmental factors on the rate of FAS, and the most appropriate educational approaches. Paramount of these issues is the need for intervention procedures demonstrated to be effective with children with FAS.