fetal alcohol syndrome

noun

: a highly variable group of birth defects including intellectual disability, deficient growth, and malformations of the skull and face that tend to occur in the offspring of women who consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy

Examples of fetal alcohol syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Zhou suspects that this rewriting of the epigenetic code is what causes the devastating symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, which is associated with low IQ and behavioral problems. Carl Zimmer, Discover Magazine, 12 Apr. 2023 In addition to Cox’s input in the film, Proudfoot set out to include the voices of Johnny’s sister, Elda Torres, to share more about Johnny’s history of fetal alcohol syndrome and this on-going case following his 2020 arrest. Sophia Scorziello, Variety, 12 Sep. 2023 Cox was one of 13 members of this gang when Williams, who according to court records was born with fetal alcohol syndrome and had the mental capacity of a 12-year-old, fell in with the group. Tsicking, oregonlive, 28 June 2023 The two older kids are intellectually disabled because of fetal alcohol syndrome and will never live independently. Kwame Anthony Appiah, New York Times, 21 June 2023 Initial hesitation among the tribe stemmed from a researcher who took photos of Lummi children years ago to develop a tool to diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome but didn’t offer any ways to address it, said Dr. Dakotah Lane, executive medical director of the Lummi Tribal Health Clinic. The Salt Lake Tribune, 4 Jan. 2021 This boy might have fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Mark Cohen, Discover Magazine, 1 Apr. 2010 The deficits, Connor emphasized, were consistent with someone affected by fetal alcohol syndrome. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 Her counsel wrote that McLaughlin has been diagnosed with borderline intellectual disability, brain damage and fetal alcohol syndrome. Maham Javaid, Washington Post, 3 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fetal alcohol syndrome.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fetal alcohol syndrome was in 1973

Dictionary Entries Near fetal alcohol syndrome

Cite this Entry

“Fetal alcohol syndrome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fetal%20alcohol%20syndrome. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fetal alcohol syndrome

noun
: a variable group of birth defects including deficient mental and physical growth that tend to occur in the offspring of women who drink large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy

Medical Definition

fetal alcohol syndrome

noun
: a highly variable group of birth defects including intellectual disability, deficient growth, central nervous system dysfunction, and malformations of the skull and face that tend to occur in the offspring of women who consume large amounts of alcohol during pregnancy
abbreviation FAS

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