title: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders--a case-control study from India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal alcohol abuse during pregnancy can lead to fetal neurotoxicity and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical features and neurobehavioral profiles of children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy with controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children exposed to alcohol in utero (n = 26) and 27-years age- and sex-matched controls were compared on FAS facial features, minor physical anomalies (MPAs), anthropometric measures, behavioral problems and intellectual functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MPAs were more common in cases (p = 0.001). Among FAS facial features, only philtrum smoothness varied significantly between the groups (p = 0.001). Behavioral problems (on Childhood Behavior Check List) were more pronounced (p = 0.001) and intellectual functioning significantly poorer in cases (p = 0.001) compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children prenatally exposed to alcohol manifest several neurobehavioral problems compared to controls. Underlying malnutrition may have altered some of the clinical findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka, India. rbn.psych@gmail.com
authors.forename: Raghavendra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nayak
authors.forename: Pratima
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Girimaji
authors.forename: Jamuna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Navaneetham
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003710:Demography; D019066:Facies; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D011204:Poverty Areas; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D014505:Urban Population