L'alcool est beaucoup plus lentement elimine chez le foetus que chez la mere (<50 %). L'ethanol et son derive l'acetaldehyde presentent un effet dose constant sur le developpement du svsteme nerveux central. Vu la susceptibilite individuelle a l'effet teratogene de l'alcool in utero, le phenotype clinique est variable. Cette teratogenicite est constante durant tout le developpement du systeme nerveux central. Le diagnostic de syndrome d'alcoolisme foetal (SAF) associe trois criteres : retard de croissance pre- et post-natal, dysfonctionnement du systeme nerveux central, anomalies craniofaciales caracteristiques. Les malformations cerebrales sont extremement variables, pouvant concerner les differentes etapes de developpement du systeme nerveux central. Les anomalies neurochimiques interessent principalement le systeme monoaminergique. Le retard mental est la consequence la mieux connue du SAF (34 a 85 %). Il n'est pas constant. La dysmorphie faciale resulte d'un ensemble d'anomalies dont aucune n'est pathognomonique mais dont le groupement est evocateur. L'instabilite psychomotrice est la manifestation la plus frequente sur le plan comportemental. Les differents composantes du phenotype sont detaillees.
Alcohol is much more slowly eliminated in the fetus than in the mother (<50 %). The ethanol and its derivative the acetaldehyde have a constant dose-effect on the development of the nervous system central. The individual susceptibility to alcool teratogenic effect in utero is responsible of variable clinical phenotype. This teratogenicity is constant during all the development of the central nervous system. The diagnosis of fetal aIcohol syndrom (FAS) associates three criteria: delay of pre- and postnatal growth, abnormal development of the central nervous system, craniofacial anomalities. Cerebral malformations are extremely variable, being to relate to the various stages of development of the nervous system central. Neurochimic abnormalities interest mainly the mono-aminergic system. The backwardness is the best known consequence of SAF (34 to 851%). It is not constant. Facial dysmorphic results of joint abnormalities whose none is pathognomonic but whose grouping is evocative. Psychomotor instability is the most frequent expression on the behavioral phenotype.