[The incomplete fetal alcohol syndrome].

In contrast to the wellknown picture of the "fetal alcohol syndrome" (FAS), clinical symptoms of the incomplete FAS are less frequently recognized compared to the high incidence of the syndrome as stated in the literature. The diagnostic problem is a clear differentiation between mild forms of the incomplete FAS and clinical normality. Post-natal growth deficiency and microcephaly of unknown aetiology, clinical symptoms of hyperactivity, learning disabilities or mild mental retardation are the main features of the incomplete FAS. The diagnosis is established only by a positive history of maternal alcohol abuse.