FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME AND FETAL ALCOHOL EFFECTS AMONG CHILDREN IN A SECONDARY NUTRITIONAL RECOVERY CENTER

Background: Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol effects (FA E) encompass a pattern of birth defects in persons whose mothers inges ted alcohol during pregnancy. People with FAE display fewer of the FAS traits. Aim: To assess the prevalence and features of these affection s in a secondary nutritional recovery centre. Patients and methods: Al l charts of children admitted between 1985 and 1995 were reviewed, and those children diagnosed as having a FAS or FAE by a geneticist were considered for this study. Birth, maternal, social and economic charac teristics, psychomotor abilities (using Denver test) and response to n utritional treatment were assessed. Results: During the study period, 1572 infants were admitted to the centre, and 1.97% (70% female) were diagnosed as having a FAS or FAE. These infants were admitted at 11.1 +/- 4.5 months of age and discharged after 96.7 +/- 58.1 months of hos pitalisation. Mean mother's age was 33 +/- 7 years, and all belonged t o low socioeconomic levels. Mean birth weight was 2048 +/- 431 g and 2 469 +/- 619 g in children with FAS and FAE respectively (p< 0.03). Chi ldren with FAE performed better for gross and fine motor abilities tha n those with FAS. No differences were observed for language performanc e. Sixty five percent of children with FAS and 71% of children with FA E had an adequate weight and height increment during nutritional thera py. A multiple regression analysis showed that age at admission and ge stational age were significant predictors of wieght gain and during th erapy. Conclusions: Alcohol has teratogenic effects on the foetus that affect craneal size and psychomotor development. Alcohol also affects pre and post natal growth.