Paediatric and ophthalmologic observations in offspring of alcohol abusing mothers

The offspring of nine women who had abused alcohol and drugs during pregnancy were studied. Of the 30 children, 10 had fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or fetal alcohol effects (FAE). Ophthalmological impairments associated with FAS--impaired vision, optic nerve hypoplasia, cataract, increased tortuosity of retinal vessels--were common. The severity of teratogenic lesions varied among the children and was often related to the level of abuse during pregnancy. Most women were unable to take care of their children during periods of substance abuse. All children with FAS/FAE had learning difficulties. Four mothers abstained from alcohol or drugs during some of their pregnancies and gave birth to children without birth defects.