Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is defined by a pattern of characteristics that include prenatal and postnatal growth deficiencies, short eyelid slits, abnormal jaw protrusion, altered palmar crease patterns, and joint and cardiac anomalies. The major outcome of the FAS is mental deficiency concomitant with fine motor dysfunction. This article explores recent findings on FAS, patterns of malformation, alcohol and other drugs, the toxicity of ethanol, the incidence of FAS, and implications of the syndrome.
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