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Review
. 2019 Jun;43(6):1046-1062.
doi: 10.1111/acer.14040. Epub 2019 May 2.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Review of the Neurobehavioral Deficits Associated With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Sarah N Mattson  1 , Gemma A Bernes  1 , Lauren R Doyle  1
Affiliations
Review

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Review of the Neurobehavioral Deficits Associated With Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

Sarah N Mattson et al. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2019 Jun.

Abstract

In utero alcohol exposure can disrupt the development of the fetal brain and result in a wide range of neurobehavioral outcomes collectively known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of prenatal alcohol exposure, including domains of general intelligence, executive functioning, language development, learning and memory, adaptive functioning, academic performance, and concurrent psychopathology. In addition, the current status of the neurobehavioral profile of FASD and its potential as a diagnostic tool will be discussed.

Keywords: Behavior; Brain; Cognition; Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; Neurobehavioral Profile.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Overlapping and specific neurocognitive impairments between FASD and ADHD. See text for details. Note: Identified neurobehavioral deficits for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Impairments listed reflect findings from comparisons between the two clinical groups and not in comparison to typically developing controls. Deficits indicated represent areas where each clinical group display greater impairments compared to the other, not absolute impairment. For details and related references, see text and Table 2.
Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Overlapping and specific neurocognitive impairments between FASD and ADHD. See text for details. Note: Identified neurobehavioral deficits for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Impairments listed reflect findings from comparisons between the two clinical groups and not in comparison to typically developing controls. Deficits indicated represent areas where each clinical group display greater impairments compared to the other, not absolute impairment. For details and related references, see text and Table 2.
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