Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Young Adulthood
Received 12 May 2006; received in revised form 4 October 2006; accepted 17 November 2006.
Objective
To test the hypothesis that fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), with the full phenotype, and fetal alcohol effect (FAE), with some but not all of the features, can be combined under the umbrella term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
Study design
We investigated the long-term sequelae of intrauterine alcohol exposure using physical examination, psychosocial interviews, and a behavioral checklist in a 20-year follow-up study of 37 patients with FASD originally diagnosed as having FAS or FAE in infancy and childhood.
Results
Although the characteristic craniofacial malformations of FAS/FAE diminish over time, microcephaly, a poorly developed philtrum and a thin upper lip, and, to a lesser degree, short stature and underweight (in boys) persist. In females, adult body weight increases. Persistent mental handicaps, including intellectual disability, limited occupational options, and dependent living, are the major sequelae, and the scores for various behavioral problems are significantly increased.
Conclusions
The devastating effects of intrauterine exposure to alcohol persist into early adulthood and severely limit careers and independent living.
Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of the German Red Cross, Berlin, Germany and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Reprint requests: Hans-Ludwig Spohr, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital of the German Red Cross, DRL-Kliniken Westend, Spandauer Damm 130, D-14050 Berlin, Germany.
None of the authors has any conflict of interest associated with this study.
ABSTRACT