Foetal alcohol syndrome: an osteometric evaluation in the wistar rat animal model

Abstract

Background: Foetal alcohol syndrome had been reported as a common feature in the off – springs of alcoholic mothers; and craniofacial and limb bones anomalies are usually some of the cardinal features of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).


Methods: These features were osteometrically assessed in the cranial and limb bones of the harvested foetuses of pregnant Wistar rats' models.


Results: Mal-developments and stunted growth with no evidence of post treatment reparation or recovery were observed in the ethanol – treated rats.


Conclusion: This observation is possibly indicative of another dimension at improving our understanding of the mechanism of the toxicity of ethanol.


Key Words: Foetal alcohol syndrome, bone anomaly, osteometry, wistar rat


Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol.5(1&2) 2003: 160-165