Understanding the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure using three-dimensional facial imaging

One of the (at least theoretically) most easily detectable features of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is a distinct pattern of facial characteristics. However, in many children prenatally exposed to alcohol, these characteristics are expressed only subtly, making it difficult to correctly identify children with these disorders. To date, several studies have used conventional two-dimensional images to develop computerized programs assisting in the identification of individuals with FAS or FASD. However, many of the subtle features of prenatal alcohol exposure cannot be visualized using two-dimensional images. Therefore, researchers at the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD; http://www.cifasd.org) have been using a special camera system that can generate three-dimensional images, which allows them to explore the advantages of using such images to identify subtle facial differences between individuals who were exposed to alcohol prenatally and individuals who were not. This approach may help investigators and clinicians to better understand the complications that may arise from prenatal alcohol exposure. For example, CIFASD researchers can use facial measurements or shapes obtained from the three-dimensional images to predict the presence of FAS, examine associations between facial shapes and cognitive deficiencies, or better understand how the facial growth of a person with FAS compares with facial growth in someone not prenatally exposed to alcohol. Through an international consortium, CIFASD has been addressing these questions in various age groups as well as different ethnic groups.