Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), a recently discovered pattern of physical, cognitive, developmental and behavioural abnormalities, occurs in some offspring of women who consume alcohol heavily during pregnancy. This paper explores the implications of FAS and lesser fetal alcohol effects. Issues of international incidence, characteristics, identification and treatment, along with their relevance for the school psychologist, are discussed.
Importance of genetics in fetal alcohol effects: Null mutation of the nNOS gene worsens alcohol-induced cerebellar neuronal losses and behavioral deficits