When is diagnosis done?
The diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is done mostly postnatal; however, documentation of prenatal abnormalities is necessary.
How is a child diagnosed?
For a child to be diagnosed with FAS requires that the following four primary defining features are present.
Maternal Alcohol Use
Characteristic Facial Abnormalities
Prenatal and Postnatal Growth Deficits
Nervous System Abnormalities/ Impairments
The diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is done mostly postnatal; however, documentation of prenatal abnormalities is necessary.
How is a child diagnosed?
For a child to be diagnosed with FAS requires that the following four primary defining features are present.
Maternal Alcohol Use
Characteristic Facial Abnormalities
- Smooth philtrum
- Thin vermillion border
- Short palpebral fissures
Prenatal and Postnatal Growth Deficits
- Small for gestational age or small stature in relation to other children their age
- Small head or facial anomalies
- Deformities of joints, limbs, and fingers
- Vision or hearing problems
Nervous System Abnormalities/ Impairments
- Structural- underdeveloped brain
- Neurological- speech and language delays, learning disabilities, and poor reasoning and judment skills
- Functional- hyperactive behavior, problems with daily living, sleep and sucking disturbances during infancy