ord-, ordinato-, -ordin-, -ordinate, -ordinating, -ordinated

A description of a spectrum of permanent and often devastating birth-defect syndromes caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.

The main effect of fetal alcohol exposure is brain damage. This can be caused during any trimester, because the fetus's brain continues to develop throughout the entire pregnancy. The brain damage is often accompanied by, and reflected in, distinctive facial stigmata (characteristics indicative of a disease or abnormalities).

A severe pervasive developmental disorder with onset usually before three years of age and a biological basis related to neurologic or neurophysiologic factors.

It is characterized by qualitative impairment in reciprocal social interaction (e.g., lack of awareness of the existence of feelings of others, failure to seek comfort at times of distress, lack of imitation), in verbal and nonverbal communication, and in capacity for symbolic play, and by restricted and unusual repertoire of activities and interests.

Other characteristics sometimes include cognitive impairment, hyperactivitiy or hyporeactivity to certain stimuli, stereotypic behaviors, neurological abnormalities; such as, seizures or altered muscle tone, sleeping or eating pattern abnormalities, and severe behavioral problems. It is associated with several genetic conditions and prenatal and perinatal risk factors.

A mood disorder characterized by numerous alternating short cycles of hypomanic and depressive periods with symptoms like those of manic and major depressive episodes, but of a lesser severity. Also called, cyclothymia.