Minor physical anomalies and learning disability: what is the prenatal component?

The authors performed a case-control study of 60 school children who were examined for a constellation of anomalies suggestive of fetal alcohol exposure. Nonretarded learning disabled children were 7.25 times (95%, confidence interval, 1.05 to 50.0) more likely than controls to have signs consistent with alcohol exposure in fetal life. These data suggest an expanded spectrum of fetal alcohol effects. Early recognition of minor physical anomalies could result in prompt evaluation and treatment of these children.