Attention deficits and autistic spectrum problems in children exposed to alcohol during gestation: a follow-up study

24 children ranged in age from 11 to 14 years were examined. Some had mothers who had abused alcohol throughout pregnancy (severe abuse group), others had mothers who had ceased alcohol consumption between the 12th and 25th week (moderate abuse group) and others had mothers who ceased alcohol consumption before the 12th week of gestation (mild abuse group). 10 children had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with or without developmental co-ordination disorder, 2 had Asperger syndrome and 1 had an autistic like condition not meeting the criteria for Asperger's syndrome. 6 of these 24 attended special schools for mentally retarded and a further 11 were given special education; only 7 were attending regular schools without any type of support. The children had difficulties in mathematics, logical conclusions, visual perception, special relations, short term memory and attention. There was a clear correlation between the occurrence and severity of the neuropsychiatric disorder and the degree of alcohol exposure