[FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD) AND ADOPTIONS FROM THE FORMER SOVIET UNION].

INTRODUCTION

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is presently estimated to affect more than 1-2 % of babies in North America. In Israel it is quite rarely diagnosed. Many of the children adopted from the former Soviet Union were born to alcoholic women.

BACKGROUND

A 4.5 year old boy adopted from Ukraine, presented with inattention, hyperactivity and aggressiveness. He was born with severe intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and continued to grow on the 3rd percentile. His biological mother was alcohol dependent.

DISCUSSION: This case highlights the need to consider the differential diagnosis of children with ADHD plus aggressive behavior, as well as maintaining a high index of suspicion of FASD in children adopted from the Soviet Union.