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Eyeground malformations in the fetal alcohol syndrome
Insights
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can cause significant eye abnormalities in children. This study found frequent malformations of optic discs and retinal vessels in children with FAS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Teratology
Background:
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition resulting from maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
- FAS is characterized by prenatal growth deficiency, central nervous system effects, and congenital malformations, notably facial abnormalities.
- Ocular features are common in FAS, including short palpebral fissures, epicanthal folds, and telecanthus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of inner eye defects in children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome.
- To document specific malformations of the optic discs and retinal vasculature in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Ophthalmic examination of 30 children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome.
- Detailed assessment of the optic discs and retinal vessels for any abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Malformations of the optic discs and retinal vessels were the most common findings, observed in 16 out of 30 children.
- Nine children exhibited bilateral hypoplasia of the optic discs, with eight also showing retinal vessel changes like increased tortuosity.
- Four children presented with bilateral optic atrophy, and 53% of all children had various intraocular malformations.
Conclusions:
- Inner eye malformations, particularly affecting the optic discs and retinal vessels, are frequent in children with fetal alcohol syndrome.
- These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive ophthalmological evaluations in the management of FAS.
- The observed ocular defects contribute to the spectrum of developmental abnormalities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
Abstract:
The fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) occurs in children born by alcoholic mothers. The syndrome consists of growth deficiency of prenatal onset, central nervous system effects with retarded mental and motor development and malformations of various organs, the most striking being the facial abnormities. There is a small head circumference and midfacial deformities. Typical eye features are telecanthus, epicanthus, short palpebral fissures, a flat nose bridge, ptosis, microphthalmus and strabismus. 30 children with FAS were examined for defects of the inner parts of the eyes. Malformations of the optic discs and retinal vessels were the most frequent findings, occurring in 16 children. Another five children had borderline findings. Nine had bilateral hypoplasia of the optic discs, eight of them also with changes of the retinal vessels, most often increased tortuousity. Four children showed bilateral optic atrophy. One of them also had highly tortuous retinal vessels. One girl had very tortuous retinal vessels without other findings in her fundi. One boy had pronounced malformations of both eyebulbs and another boy had bilateral changes of his eyeground structures. Various intraocular malformations were observed in 53% of the children with FAS.