[Fetal alcohol syndrome (author's transl)].

The fetal alcohol syndrome was observed in four girls aged 1 2/12 to 9 2/12 years, two of whom were sisters. Three of the children are older than all others previously described as having this syndrome. The signs consist of a decrease of body length and weight beginning at birth, microcephalus, marked decrease of intelligence and narrowing of the palpebral fissure. Frequently congenital cardiac defects are found and sometimes anomalies of the genitalia and other malformations. Experience so far indicates a causal relationship between considerable alcohol abuse of mothers during pregnancy and intra-uterine fetal damage. The prognosis is poor; in severe cases of chronic alcoholism interruption of pregnancy should be seriously considered.