Abstract
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is common teratogenic embryopathy characterized by multisystemic disorder, mental retardation, failute to thrive, growth retardati - on, facial dysmorphy, irritability and hyperactivity, cardiac, renal, gastrointestinal, skeletal abnormalities. Incidence of FAS is estimated in different countries to be 0,5–1 % (1:200 – 1:100 newborn children).
The diagnosis is based solely on clinical features of fetuses exposed to maternal alcohol intake. No laboratory test is feasible to confirm the embryotoxic effect of alcohol.
Exposed offspring of chronically drinking women are affected in 20–30 %, depending on genotype of fetus as well as genotype of pregnant woman. Safe alcohol dosis in pregnancy does not exist.
Consequent absti - nency during pregnancy is only prevention.