The effects of prenatal alcohol on the central nervous system

Prenatal alcohol exposure has a profound effect on the developing brain. In fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), mental retardation and microcephaly are commonly observed. A partial syndrome, fetal alcohol effects (FAE) can result in neurobehavioral sequelae, which may present at birth or appear later in development. This chapter discusses the clinical evidence supporting the concept of FAE, the range of cognitive disturbances seen in FAS and FAE children, and studies on long-term outcome. We review studies that suggest that even in the absence of the stigmata of FAS, neonatal signs of central nervous system dysfunction may predict later developmental deviation. However, the clinical research on the cognitive and behavioral disorders in the FAE population is limited. Examination of electroencephalograms, evoked potentials, and sleep pattern provide additional evidence that the functional integrity of the brain has been altered. An abbreviated review of behavioral animal studies provides additional support for the clinical investigations presented.