[Alcohol embryopathy. Review and case example]

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a disorder that occurs in children of alcoholic mothers and is characterized by typical craniofacial dysmorphia and retardation of mental and physical growth. Semiquantitative evaluation of the most common symptoms permits clinical classification into three stages. Although numerous hypotheses have been suggested, the pathogenetic mechanism is not yet well understood. Prevention through medical advice and counselling still remains the most successful form of therapy. A case of fetal alcohol syndrome caused by excessive maternal drinking accompanied by high nicotine consumption during pregnancy is reported.