Overview

It can be difficult to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome. There isn’t a direct test for FAS and pregnant people may not give a complete history of all alcohol intake during pregnancy.

Pediatric providers can often make a diagnosis of FAS based on the size of a child, specific physical signs and symptoms that develop through childhood, including:

  • History of alcohol use by the child’s mother during pregnancy.
  • Abnormal facial features — a smooth connection between the nose and upper lip, a thin upper lip and small eyes.
  • Small size at birth and throughout childhood.
  • Emotional and behavioral issues like difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and poor judgment.

Symptoms of FAS can resemble those found in other disorders, including:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Williams syndrome.
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