How common is short columella with fetal alcohol syndrome?

Hello doctor,

Do you have experience with FAS or FASD? Can prenatal exposure to alcohol cause a short columella? Is this common in those with the affected face?

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

What is your opinion about this nose?

Please suggest.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

I know he does not have the sentinel features. But I also know that children with FASD can have no features. I have read that only 10 percent of children with FASD have facial abnormalities. I would like to know if his nose has the features of a nose you can see in children with FAS. What is your opinion about him? What is your opinion about his columella?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

What is your opinion about his columella? Have you ever seen babies with a similar columella?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your patience.

1. When I look his profile (side view) I cannot see his columella. I can see only the alar margin. It also seems to be bent, is this also normal?.

2. Is it possible to see this in the pictures? (I do not know if I sent good pictures).

3. Do you know how this variation usually evolves?

4. Does the columella become less short (compared to other structures of the nose)?

5. Does it become less retracted relative to the nose alar? Or do the proportions always remain the same?

I know that columella will not impair the functions of the nose. My question is about the shape of the nose itself.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

When you say it is unlikely it will look different, what do you mean? Different from what it is today?

Please advise.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Yes, my concern is about the shape. Sorry for so many messages. I will try to explain why I am so anxious.

I read a publication about the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure called "Association Between Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Craniofacial Shape of Children at 12 Months of Age." This study shows that: "Results indicate a mild midfacial recession suggestive of subclinical hypoplasia and an upturning of the nasal tip in those exposed to alcohol prenatally. This phenotype was evident even when drinking was at a low level and mothers ceased alcohol consumption in the first trimester."

Our study has examined the association between low levels of PAE and a more rigorous assessment of both face shape and alcohol consumption. We show that certain aspects of the phenotype (upturning of the nasal tip and midfacial hypoplasia) can be detected even when the maximum number of standard drinks (10 g of AA) does not exceed seven per week and two per occasion.

We did not observe the classic diagnostic features for FAS of a smooth philtrum, reduced palpebral fissure length, and thin vermillion of the upper lip; these features likely emerge only at higher levels of exposure." I also read that facial features can occur only if the mother drinks during the period of gastrulation. And I probably drank three sips of wine once during this period (before I knew I was pregnant). And now my son has a variation exactly in the same structure mentioned in the article for light drinking.

So I am in doubt if this variation was caused by alcohol. I know he does not have the sentinel features, but this study refers to subtle features with light drinking. I know I have been boring you, and I am really sorry. I am not this kind of person, but I am trying to understand this.

Please advise.

Thank you.

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

Do you think it is a horrible coincidence?

Please guide.

Thank you.