Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): A diagnostic term for people who have 1) a characteristic pattern of facial anomalies, plus 2) evidence of growth retardation, plus 3) evidence of central nervous system neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The fourth criterion, maternal alcohol exposure, may or may not be able to be confirmed.
Partial FAS (pFAS): A diagnostic term for people who have 1) confirmed maternal alcohol exposure, plus 2) some characteristic facial anomalies, and 3) one of the following: evidence of growth retardation OR evidence of central nervous system neurodevelopmental abnormalities OR evidence of a complex pattern of behavior or cognitive abnormalities that can't be traced to family background or environmental conditions alone. Some people mistakenly think the term "partial" means a "less severe" case of FAS. (That is not true.)
Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND): A condition with three diagnostic criteria: 1) history of maternal alcohol exposure, 2) abnormalities in the development of the central nervous system, 3) evidence of a complex pattern of behavioral or cognitive abnormalities that can't be attributed to family background or environment alone.
Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD): A condition in which a history of maternal alcohol exposure is linked to congenital anomalies such as heart defects, kidney problems, hearing loss, skeletal malformations, and other structural problems.
Prevalence: The number of people who currently have the condition.
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 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD, is an umbrella term describing a range of conditions and disabilities that arise from fetal alcohol exposure.
Different medical terms are given to distinguish clinical findings and diagnoses. But the common thread is how FASD impacts every aspect of an affected person's life.
When the mother drinks during pregnancy, the baby does, too. But the baby is so small that the alcohol damages the baby’s developing organs. Alcohol is a known teratogen—it causes abnormal fetal growth and development.
The brain and central nervous system are especially susceptible to injury from alcohol because they develop throughout the entire pregnancy (and beyond).
Resulting cognitive, behavioral and physical deficits impact learning, decision making, social skills and how the person is able to relate to the world. Comorbid conditions are common and can create further complications.
In addition to these effects, this section addresses some frequently asked questions about FASD and discusses the process for diagnosing the various conditions that fall under FASD.
Prevalence
How common is FASD? Some sources cite 1 in 1000 births. Newer information (including that from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) cites 1 in 100 births.
The smaller statistic accounts only for children who possess all the diagnostic criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which is only one form of FASD. The higher statistic of 1 in 100 births includes all diagnoses related to FASD:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
+ partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)
+ Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ARND)
+ Alcohol-Related Birth Defects (ARBD)
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= 1 in 100 live births affected by fetal alcohol damage, collectively known as FASD
Although it doesn’t cause mental retardation in all its victims, FASD is the # 1 cause of mental retardation in the United States. And it is 100% preventable. |
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