What differentiates Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) is differentiated from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) primarily through its clinical presentation, particularly regarding physical features and behavioral outcomes. While FAS is characterized by distinctive facial abnormalities and growth deficiencies alongside neurodevelopmental issues, ARND does not require the presence of these physical characteristics for a diagnosis.

The key aspect of ARND is that it can manifest primarily as behavioral and cognitive deficits without the specific facial features associated with FAS. This allows for a recognition of neurodevelopmental issues linked to prenatal alcohol exposure even in the absence of typical physical signs. Therefore, the focus on behavioral problems, rather than the necessity of physical malformations, underlines the differentiation between the two disorders.

In summary, ARND is diagnosed based on behavioral and cognitive deficits resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure, which makes the identification of behavioral issues a critical and defining factor in distinguishing it from FAS.