How to Recognize Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

If a mother drinks alcohol while pregnant, her child can be born with a range of physical, mental and behavioral disabilities known as fetal alcohol syndrome. These children have difficulty learning and socializing. Recognizing the signs of fetal alcohol syndrome allows for early intervention.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for signs at infancy. Newborns with fetal alcohol syndrome are often diagnosed as failure to thrive. They have low birth weight and a small head circumference. Troubles with sucking and sleeping usually appear. A hole between the chambers of the heart is often present at birth.

• 2

  Analyze the face. As the child's features begin to develop look for fetal alcohol syndrome characteristics including a small head, small jaw, a short turned-up nose and thin upper lip. The skin between the lip and nose is smooth, rather than grooved. Cheeks are flat. Eye openings are small. The skin between the upper eyelid and eyebrow is folded as in people of Asiatic descent.

• 3

  Contact a physician to assess other physical signs. Fetal alcohol syndrome is associated with joint, limb and dental irregularities. Vision and hearing problems are also common. Examine the child's palm for a Simian crease. This is a single horizontal crease across the palm of the hand, rather than two creases.

• 4

  Note behavioral problems. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are often hyperactive. They have a short attention span and trouble controlling impulses. Though talkative, they lack social judgment.

• 5

  Evaluate intellect. Children with fetal alcohol syndrome are usually developmentally delayed. They often have learning disabilities. Mental retardation or a low IQ is common.