Neurological and Psychological Impairments of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Two Case Reports

Background: According to the study “Gesundheit in Deutschland Aktuell”—“Health in Germany up-to-date” (GEDA, Robert-Koch-Institute, 2012), approximately 20% of the pregnant women show moderate and 8% risky alcohol consumption, 12% indicate binge drinking (≥5 drinks per occasion) less than once a month, 4% every month, and 0.1% at least every week. A harmless amount of alcohol for the embryo and fetus cannot be determined based on the scientific state of knowledge. The prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), resulting from the intrauterine alcohol exposure, is estimated to be 1% of all children. Only a fraction of these children really get the diagnosis of FASD.

Methods: On the basis of two clinical cases, symptoms of children and adolescents with FASD are discussed.

Results: In the course of development, the predominant symptoms of FASD change. Therefore, affected individuals and their families always meet new challenges. The impairments of the development of the behavior and of special cognitive skills in children/adolescents with FASD can be multiple and severe. They result in significant restrictions in everyday functioning and in the independence of the affected individuals and persist lifelong.

Conclusion: Intrauterine alcohol exposure is the cause of one of the most common connate disabilities. Neuropediatricians have the duty to inform about this complex disease, to diagnose early and correctly and to promote the secondary prevention.