Physical exam for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)

The physical exam for a baby or child who is suspected of having FASD will include:

• Measurements of height, weight, and size of the head. These will be plotted on a graph to compare them with normal ranges for the child's age group. Children with FASD are smaller and shorter than other children their age.
• Evaluation of facial features. Not all babies and children with FASD have the characteristic features: a small face, narrow eye openings (slits), a short upturned nose, a flattened groove between the nose and the upper lip (philtrum), and a thin upper lip. These features may not be present or may be subtle and easy to miss in a baby. The facial features, if present, become more noticeable by the time the child is about 2 to 3 years of age.
• Examination of the child for signs of birth defects related to alcohol exposure, such as heart defects and hearing loss.
• Examination of the nervous system. The doctor will look for signs of problems with the central nervous system, such as tremors, irritability, and attention problems.