Mental Health Technician Certification (AMCA) Practice Test

What syndrome is characterized by having a smaller birth size, small heads, and developmental delays?

1. Fetal alcohol syndrome

2. Down syndrome

3. Prader-Willi syndrome

4. Williams syndrome

The correct answer is: Fetal alcohol syndrome

Fetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by a range of physical, behavioral, and cognitive abnormalities that can occur in individuals whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. The key features include growth deficiencies, which manifest as being smaller at birth and having a smaller head size, referred to as microcephaly. Additionally, developmental delays are commonly associated with this condition, affecting the child's ability to learn and develop motor skills properly. Recognizing fetal alcohol syndrome is crucial for early intervention and support for affected individuals. In contrast to the other conditions listed, which may have overlapping features such as developmental delays, they do not predominantly feature the specific combination of smaller birth size and microcephaly as a direct result of prenatal alcohol exposure. For instance, Down syndrome, while it involves developmental delays, is not specifically characterized by smaller size or head circumference due to maternal substance use. Each of the other syndromes mentioned has distinct genetic or environmental etiology and symptomatology that sets them apart from fetal alcohol syndrome.