What is the Definition of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
In 1973, Jones and Smith coined the term “fetal alcohol syndrome” (FAS) to describe a pattern of abnormalities observed in children born to mothers who drink alcohol. Alcohol has been found to be acutely toxic to the developing fetus. top ^ Description of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Evidence suggests that the morphologic and functional deficits observed in children with fetal alcohol syndrome are related to two concepts – the timing of the toxic event (“critical period”) and the peak alcohol concentrations (“critical dosage”). Alcohol itself is highly toxic to the fetus.