1986, p. 1308). Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition which may exist in infants when their mothers have abused alcoholic beverages during the term of their pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome generally results in physical, mental and emotional damage to the offspring. For example, such infants are almost always of a smaller size and weight than normal infants at birth, and are found to have a smaller overall brain size as well. It has been noted that these factors often lead to developmental delays, fine-motor problems, and a higher risk of academic problems once the child enters school (Streissguth, 1986, p. 23). Fetal alcohol syndrome has also been related to such malformations in infancy as mental retardation, cerebral palsy and hyperactivity. In terms of learning disability, it has been found that fetal alcohol syndrome often results in decreased attention span and other difficulties which may require special education needs when the child reaches school age (Abel & Sokol, 1986, p. 330). Studies with laboratory animals have also indicated that fetal alcohol syndrome may be responsible for the impairment of learning and memory functions in the hippocampus area of the brain (p. 330). It has been noted that many of the incidental problems in infants caused by fetal alcohol syndrome can be overcome with corrective surgery; however, those related to malformation of the brain generally cannot be eradicated (Aronson & Olegard, 1985, p. 138).
Most experts in the field agree that it is extremely difficult to assess the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome during the first two years of an infant's life. Approximately one-fourth of all infants born with recognizable defects die before they even reach the age of four weeks (Abel & Sokol, 1986, p. 330). Among those who do survive past the first few weeks, it has been noted that ". . . only a suspicion [of fetal alcohol syndrome) can be raised at this early age" (Aronson & Olegard, 1985...