The main problem with growth in an affected child is that of deficiency which results in the child being small and underweight.

Skeletal underdevelopment results in deformities in the ribs and chest bone, dislocated hips, curvature of the spine, and a small head. Sometimes, these children are born with missing fingers or toes.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is relatively rare and takes place only in the children of mothers who are alcoholic or at least drink regularly and heavily during pregnancy.

Sometimes a child may not suffer from the entire range of problems associated with fetal alcohol syndrome but the alcohol can still cause a child to be born with development problems which have taken place whilst in the uterus. There is some debate about how much alcohol is safe during pregnancy but it is believed that even small amounts, in the first trimester, can be harmful.