LD:Causes: Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol exposure is regarded by researchers as the leading known cause of mental retardation in the Western world (Abel and Sokel 1987), surpassing both spina bifida and Down syndrome. In the United States alone, it is estimated that, every year, one in 750 babies born suffers from FAS, and 40,000 from PFAE.