Diagnostic Results of IQ-test in School-Aged Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum of Disorders

INTRODUCTION: FAS and FASD are completely preventable conditions which can be reduced by methods of prevention aimed at alcohol eliminating by women during pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess level of intellectual impairment in children with FAS and FASD. METHODS: All children who participated in the study had physical development retardation and various dysmorphological features of FAS or FASD. The sample included 77 children, 8.6±1.03 years of age. FAS was diagnosed in 8 children, FASD in 69 children. Assessments were carried out by pediatrician, psychiatrist and psychologist; level of intelligence was assessed using WISC test. RESULTS: Among children with FAS average IQ was 65.9 points (extremely low level), which corresponds to «mild mental retardation» diagnosis (F70, ICD-10). Four children with FAS had intelligence corresponding to «very low» level (IQ=70-79), three had «mild mental retardation» (IQ=50-69), and one had «moderate mental retardation» (F71, ICD-10) (IQ=35-49). Among children with FASD average IQ was higher and reached 79.5 points, corresponding to «very low» intelligence level. «Moderate mental retardation» was identified in 7.8% children with FASD; 22.1% children had «mild mental retardation», and 27.3% had «very low». In 37.7% children IQ level was within normal range: «low average» in 19.5% (IQ=80-89) and «average» in 18.2% (IQ=90-109). «Very high intelligence» (IQ=120-129) was detected in 2.6% children, «extremely high intelligence» (IQ=130 points and above) in 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: All children with FAS had impaired mental development. Children with FASD showed a wide range of total IQ values, from moderate degree of mental retardation to very high intelligence. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.