Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
19:57
The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Published on: August 5, 2017
Relationship between dysmorphic features and general cognitive function in children with fetal alcohol spectrum
Nina Ervalahti1, Marit Korkman, Ase Fagerlund
1Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland. nina.ervalahti@gmail.com
American Journal of Medical Genetics. Part A
|November 15, 2007
Summary
Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and more severe growth deficiencies and dysmorphic features show greater cognitive limitations. This study highlights the link between physical characteristics and cognitive capacity in FASD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Genetics
Background:
- Prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), characterized by growth restriction, craniofacial anomalies, and central nervous system dysfunction.
- FASD represents a continuum of adverse fetal outcomes resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between dysmorphic features and general cognitive capacity in Finnish children diagnosed with FASD.
- To quantify the association between the severity of dysmorphic features and cognitive limitations.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 48 Finnish children aged 8–16 with FASD underwent dysmorphology examinations and cognitive assessments.
- A total dysmorphology score (TDS) was calculated for each child, quantifying dysmorphic features and growth deficiency.
- General cognitive capacity was assessed using six subtests from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III).
Main Results:
- A significant inverse correlation was observed between the total dysmorphology score (TDS) and general cognitive capacity.
- Children with more pronounced growth deficiency and dysmorphic features exhibited greater cognitive limitations.
- Birth measurements of length and weight correlated with general cognitive capacity, while head circumference correlated specifically with Performance IQ.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate an inverse relationship between the degree of growth deficiency/dysmorphic features and cognitive function in children with FASD.
- While significant correlations exist, the TDS may not reliably predict individual cognitive function in later life.
- This research underscores the impact of prenatal alcohol exposure on both physical development and cognitive outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:27Language and Cognition
Language serves as a bridge between ideas and communication, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with the world. Psychologists have long debated whether language shapes thought or vice versa. This discussion gained grip with Edward Sapir and Benjamin Lee Whorf in the 1940s, who proposed that language determines thought, a concept known as linguistic determinism. They suggested that the vocabulary and structure of a language influence how its speakers think and perceive reality.
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...