Final answer:
Babies with fetal alcohol syndrome often exhibit physical features such as a thin upper lip and small palpebral fissures, along with cognitive and behavioral issues, due to prenatal alcohol exposure. Avoiding alcohol during pregnancy is key to preventing FAS and FASDs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Other than a flattened philtrum, common physical findings in babies with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) include a thin upper lip, small palpebral fissures (smaller than average eye openings), epicanthal folds (skin folds at the corners of the eyes), a flattened nasal bridge, and a short nose. Additional signs may involve below-average head circumference and a smaller than average midface size. These features result from prenatal alcohol exposure, which is a teratogen, affecting the development of the fetus. FAS can also lead to other serious problems such as microcephaly, cognitive deficits, and behavioral issues.
It's crucial to note that there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and the severity of FASDs depends on the amount, frequency, and timing of alcohol consumption by the pregnant mother. Preventing FAS is as simple as abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy.