BACKGROUND: Maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy can lead to fetal neurotoxicity and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). AIMS: To compare the clinical features and neurobehavioral profiles of children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy with controls. METHODOLOGY: Children exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 26) and 27-years age- and sex-matched controls were compared on FAS facial features, minor physical anomalies (MPAs), anthropometric measures, behavioral problems and intellectual functioning. RESULTS: MPAs were more common in cases (p = 0.001). Among FAS facial features, only philtrum smoothness varied significantly between the groups (p = 0.001). Behavioral problems (on Childhood Behavior Check List) were more pronounced (p = 0.001) and intellectual functioning significantly poorer in cases (p = 0.001) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Children prenatally exposed to alcohol manifest several neurobehavioral problems compared to controls. Underlying malnutrition may have altered some of the clinical findings.
BACKGROUND:Maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy can lead to fetal neurotoxicity and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). AIMS: To compare the clinical features and neurobehavioral profiles of children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy with controls. METHODOLOGY:Children exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 26) and 27-years age- and sex-matched controls were compared on FAS facial features, minor physical anomalies (MPAs), anthropometric measures, behavioral problems and intellectual functioning. RESULTS: MPAs were more common in cases (p = 0.001). Among FAS facial features, only philtrum smoothness varied significantly between the groups (p = 0.001). Behavioral problems (on Childhood Behavior Check List) were more pronounced (p = 0.001) and intellectual functioning significantly poorer in cases (p = 0.001) compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS:Children prenatally exposed to alcohol manifest several neurobehavioral problems compared to controls. Underlying malnutrition may have altered some of the clinical findings.
Authors: Sunitha T Sreenivasan; Prasanthi Nattala; Girish N Rao; Meena K Sridaramurthy Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2021-09-09 Impact factor: 3.633