LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF CHILDREN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME - PSYCHOPATHOLOGY, BEHAVIOR AND INTELLIGENCE

Within an interdisciplinary research project, the long-term outcome of children with fetal alcohol syndrome was studied. Methods for the ass essment of psychopathology, behavior, and intelligence included psychi atric interviews, behavior checklists for parents and teachers, and in telligence tests. The children were assessed during preschool age, ear ly school age (6 to 12 years), and late school age (greater than or eq ual to 13 years). An excess of psychopathology, (including hyperkineti c disorders, emotional disorders, sleep disorders, and abnormal habits and sterotypies) with a strong persistence over time was found. Cogni tive functioning was marked by a large proportion of mentally retarded children and also did not change considerably over time. This long-te rm outcome study reflects the handicapping effects of fetal alcohol sy ndrome.