Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or FAS?  First you must know that there are two main types of fetal alcohol syndrome symptoms, physical and mental.  Even if your child does not look like he or she has fas, if you drank during your pregnancy, you should look for mental or emotional symptoms later in development so that you can seek the proper help.

Fetal alcohol physical symptoms.  Babies diagnosed with FAS will have at least some of these physical symptoms.

  • Small birth weight
  • Small head circumference
  • Small eye openings
  • Smooth, wide philtrum  – the vertical groove in the upper lip
  • Thin upper lip

Fetal Alcohol emotional or mental symptoms.  Most of these symptoms will be identified as the child matures but are more serious than the superficial symptoms.

  • Attention deficits
  • Memory deficits
  • Hyperactivity
  • Difficulty with abstract concepts
  • Inability to manage money
  • Poor problem solving skills
  • Difficulty learning from consequences
  • Immature social behavior
  • Inappropriately friendly to strangers
  • Lack of control over emotions
  • Poor impulse control
  • Poor judgment
  • Hyper Sexuality is sometimes displayed in maturing males.

Most children diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are irritable, have trouble sleeping, startle easily and can have many health problems.  Common FAS health problems are heart defects and other problems with their livers, ears and joints.

Additionally children who have Fetal Alcohol syndrome often have mental developmental delays and have lower than normal intelligence.  Only 15% of FAS children have IQs lower than 70, which is considered lower than average or border line retardation.   However, most FAS children achieve normal IQ levels.

There are many secondary symptoms of children or adults with Fetal alcohol Syndrome.

  • Trouble maintaining relationships
  • Inability to keep a job
  • Staying in School
  • Mental Health Problems
  • Trouble with the law
  • Inappropriate Sexual Behavior
  • Drug and Alcohol Problems.  FAS often can make a person more prone to have substance abuse problems in adulthood.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome children and adults can be successful in life but need long term support and treatment.  With the proper guidance and support from loved ones they can make the transition into adulthood.

There are many forms of treatment, support and aid for parents of children or children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  Here are some more articles that discuss FAS treatment, FAS support and FAS statistics.

For information regarding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome treatment or Alcohol Abuse treatment click here.