Babies born with FAS are noticeably smaller than other babies. Their growth does not usually catch up" to that of other children. They remain small throughout their lives.
 

 Poor growth of the central nervous system may result in intellectual and developmental disabilities, short attention span, learning disabilities, hyperactivity, poor muscle tone and poor coordination.  The brain also fails to grow, staying smaller than that of other individuals of the same age.

3. Facial Abnormalities

 The face of a baby with FAS does not form in the usual manner. The result may include small eye openings; drooping eyelids; flat, wide nose bridge; thin upper lip; flat groove between the nose and the upper lip.

In addition to these three groups of problems, individuals with FAS often have other health concerns. Abnormalities of the skeleton, cleft lip and palate, heart defects and other internal organ problems are common in individuals with FAS.

All of these characteristics can be present in people who do not have FAS.

Factors Involved in FAS

No one can predict which infants born to mothers who drink will be affected, nor can anyone predict how severe these effects will be. Not every woman who drinks during pregnancy, even though she may drink heavily, will have a child with FAS.

Four factors affect how severe the damage will be to the unborn baby:

1. The time in the pregnancy at which alcohol is consumed.

Although the fetus may be most at risk in the first three months when vital organs are being formed, damage can occur anytime during the pregnancy. Alcohol may affect whatever growth or development is taking place at the time of the mother's consumption. The unborn baby's brain develops throughout the pregnancy.