Relation between Behavioral and Physical Abnormalities Associated with Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol: Present Speculations

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Abstract
Teratogenic effects of alcohol on the human fetus and embryo have been well documented in animal studies and in human clinical and prospective studies. This article focuses on the relation between the physical defects and the cognitive/behavioral deficits. Three hypotheses are examined: the secondary effect (malnutrition) hypothesis, the dosage hypothesis, and the segregation (gestational timing) hypothesis. The possible role of acetaldehyde is also discussed. The need for synthesis is emphasized.