If you suspect your child has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, it is crucial to see your doctor and get a definitive diagnosis. Early detection and aggressive intervention may reduce the risk of long-term problems for a child with FAS.  Make a list of symptoms you’ve noticed in your child so that your doctor can more easily make a diagnosis.  Let your doctor know if you consumed alcohol during your pregnancy. Be sure to include how much and how often you drank.  Your doctor may be able to assess your risk for FAS if you report the amount and timing of alcohol you consumed.  If you identify symptoms of FAS and do not see a doctor, inaction can have lasting consequences for your child. Your doctor needs a certain amount of expertise to make a definitive diagnosis of FAS in your child. Being open and honest can help your doctor successfully and quickly diagnose FAS in order to help your child as soon as possible.  Your doctor will likely assess certain factors in making a diagnosis including: how often you drank during pregnancy, your child’s physical appearance, your child’s physical and neurological growth and development.  Your doctor may also consider: cognitive abilities and difficulties, health issues, and social and behavioral issues. Your doctor will check for signs of FAS once you’ve described your child’s symptoms. She may be able to diagnose FAS with a simple physical examination in addition to more in-depth tests. Your doctor will examine your child for physical symptoms including wide-set eyes; an extremely thin upper lip; a short, upturned nose; narrow and small eyes; deformed joints and limbs; vision and hearing issues; small head circumference; or heart defects such as a murmur. If your doctor suspects that your has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, she may order tests after conducting the physical exam. These tests can help confirm a diagnosis and help your doctor formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.  Your doctor may order brain imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to help rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms. If you are still pregnant, your doctor may order blood tests or a pregnancy ultrasound. Your doctor may want to confirm a diagnosis of FAS with more in depth tests. She may order that your child get an MRI or CT to assess physical and neurological issues.  CT scans and MRIs make images of your child’s brain and can make it easier for your doctor to identify damage to the brain. This can help her better formulate a treatment plan.  Your doctor may order a CT scan, which will require your child to lie still while a technician makes images of her brain. This form of X-ray imaging can help better see the brain and may show growth or developmental issues.   Your doctor may order an MRI, which will also require your child to lie inside of a large scanner for a few minutes. An MRI can make more in-depth pictures of how severe the damage to your child’s brain is. There is unfortunately no cure or specific treatment for FAS. Many symptoms of FAS generally last a lifetime. However, early intervention can help reduce some of the effects of FAS. They may even help prevent some secondary disabilities.  Be aware that early diagnosis and intervention is critical.  Physical and mental deficiencies often last for a child’s lifetime.  Your doctor may prescribe or suggest medications to help with some symptoms such as hyperactivity. She may also recommend medical treatment for health problems including heart or kidney abnormalities.  Your doctor may suggest physical, occupational, and psychological therapy for help walking, talking, and social skills.  Your doctor may suggest placing your child with a special education teacher to help them better function in a school setting.  Your doctor may suggest counseling for the family.

Summary: See your child’s pediatrician. Understand how your doctor diagnoses FAS. Examine the symptoms with your doctor. Get tests and a diagnosis. Get a CT scan or an MRI. Formulate a treatment plan.


If you have access to an adult Angel Trumpet plant, harvest 1 of its seed pods after the pod turns brown or yellow. Then, carefully peel off the pod’s skin using your fingers, exposing lots of small seeds. If you don’t have access to an adult plant, purchase a pack of Angel Trumpet seeds from a gardening supply store. When you’re ready to plant your seeds, fill a small bowl with warm water and place the seeds inside. Let the seeds soak for about 24 hours, then dry them off with a clean towel. Soaking your seeds will remove the thin layer of pulp surrounding them. If you leave this layer on, they may not germinate properly. Grab a small paper towel sheet and dampen it with warm water. Then, spread your seeds out evenly on the paper towel and fold the sheet up into a tight package. Try to use sheets that are about 4 in (10 cm) long. If you have a lot of seeds, you may need to use multiple sheets. Grab your moistened paper towel package and slip it into a resealable plastic bag. Then, seal the bag. You do not need to press out any excess air before closing the bag. If you have multiple paper towel packages, make sure you use a different plastic bag for each of them. To make sure your seeds germinate properly, place them in an area that has a constant temperature between 60 and 70 °F (16 and 21 °C). Remove your seeds from the bag once they develop small, white stem strands, an indication that they’ve successfully germinated.  In most cases, your seeds should take between 3 and 4 weeks to fully germinate. You can remove your seeds as soon as you see their stem strands. You don’t have to wait for them to grow to a specific length. When left unchecked, your germinating seeds can develop mold or become fungal. To prevent this, replace the damp paper towel once every other day.
Summary: Acquire Angel Trumpet seeds. Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours. Wrap the seeds in a moist paper towel. Seal the seeds in a plastic bag. Store your seeds in a warm place until they germinate. Replace the paper towel every other day.