Dysmorphic features in offspring of alcoholic mothers

The frequencies of 60 minor physical anomalies and various craniofacial measurements in 52 children with alcohol exposure of various durations in utero were determined with 48 non-exposed healthy children at a mean aged of 27 months. Compared with non-exposed children a significantly higher total minor physical anomaly count was observed in those children exposed prenatally to alcohol throughout pregnancy. Binge drinking was not associated with an increased minor physical anomaly count. After analysing their results the authors stress the importance of recognising also the subtle dysmorphic facial features associated with prenatal alcohol exposure: 22 of 29 exposed children judged to have typical or possible features of fetal alcohol syndrome during the first year showed signs of central nervous system dysfunction at the age of 27 months.