The fetal alcohol syndrome: a multihandicapped child

The effect of intrauterine exposure of the fetus to ethanol has been appreciated since Biblical times. An article by Lemoine (1968) describing the effects and long term prognosis was virtually ignored until 1973. At that time Jones and Smith described a constellation of anomalies in infants born to alcoholic women and labeled this condition the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). The evolution of this syndrome over the last 15 years is reminiscent of the congenital rubella syndrome with its continuum of handicapping morbidity. Even if there is no facial dysmorphia and the child has a normal IQ, the stigma from intrauterine ethanol exposure persists. Visual-motor perception and performance IQ are lower and receptive and expressive language are delayed. Distractibility persist. The child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome remains a multihandicapped child.