Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a constellation of behavioral, growth, and facial abnormalities resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Diagnosis is made by a specially trained physician and is based on the following criteria: growth deficiency; a pattern of distinct and specific facial abnormalities; and central nervous system (CNS) damage. In other cases, where there are no related physical findings, but a pattern of cognitive and behavioral deficits exist concurrent with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure, a diagnosis of static encephalopathy may be given. Due to confusion, this term and fetal alcohol related conditions (FARC) are used in the place of fetal alcohol effects (FAE). The characteristics listed above and discussed later in this entry must occur in conjunction with confirmed maternal alcohol consumption. Racial, genetic, and familial in-fluences must also be considered when such a diagnosis is made.

History

The term fetal alcohol syndrome was...