Klippel-Feil Malformation Complex in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Abstract

The fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) consists of intrauterine growth retardation, microcephaly, short palpebral fissures, maxillary hypoplasia, various limb and joint anomalies, cardiac defect, and variable degrees of mental deficiency. 1,2 Vertebral and rib abnormalities have only been reported in two previous cases. 3 We now describe two more children with the Klippel-Feil malformation complex in the fetal alcohol syndrome. Report of Cases .—Case1.—A 4-year-old boy was referred to the University of Oregon Crippled Children's Division, Eugene, for evaluation of multiple dysmorphic features and short stature. His mother, aged 30 years, had an excessive ethanol intake daily during the first six months of pregnancy but decreased her alcohol consumption during the third trimester. Two previously nonalcoholic pregnancies had resulted in normal offspring. The patient was born at term, but weighed only 1.82 kg. An inguinal hernia was repaired at age 14 months. At age 4 years 5 months,