Children with FAS frequently have been to the ENT physician before I even get the hearing test because they have a predisposition to ear infections with chronic persistence of fluid behind the ear drum. This can interfere with normal hearing. They all eventually wear glasses. The child is evaluated by the ophthalmologist and the stronger eye is usually patched to strengthen the weaker eye. The globe of the eye is smaller in a child with FAS and the shape of the eyes affects the visual capacity of the eyes.
Glasses ameliorate the refractive errors.
A sonogram of the kidneys is also advisable because hydronephrosis, horseshoe kidneys, and other rotational abnormalities of the kidneys may eventually affect the kidney function. If the child is delayed, I recommend early intervention services through the department of health in the community where the family resides. In New York State, early intervention services are free through the department of health from birth through 36 months. After the child s third birthday, the child is evaluated by a child study team in the school district of the family s home. Children with FAS need to be aggressively evaluated as soon as they arrive in the United States because of the multisystem involvement.