Is foetal alcohol syndrome always picked up at birth?

[donutoes]

I know this is a sensitive subject so sorry in advance if I'm way off the mark here in any way.

One of my friends has two preschoolers both with special needs.
She currently trying to get a diagnosis for the eldest but is at a loss at the moment.
I noticed recently that both the kids have all the the physical markers for foetal alcohol syndrome. Particularly the younger one
I know she drank while pregnant but I have no idea how much.

Would this be something worth mentioning (very very gently) to her or would it have been picked up by healthcare professionals by now?

Anyone?

No, it's not picked up at birth unless severe. I wouldn't mention it personally, as it's not something that can be cured and they won't change the strategies they use just because the syndrome is named- most kids with SEND don't have a named syndrome and it doesn't prevent then getting support. She may also know full well what it is, having been told by medical professionals already, but not told you because she's ashamed. You risk causing lots of upset for little gain.

Thanks for your reply.

My main concern is that fas can cause issues with the heart and other organs so if it is fas there might be problems like that that haven't been picked up on?

I'm not judging her in anyway. She has had really hard time of it her whole life and I know she does try her best for her girls and love them with her whole heart

My friend has a baby that is 9 months his head has dropped from 9th centile to 2nd centile.
I suspect she was drinking during pregnancy as she had no real support network and I know this was very upsetting for her. The health visitor said that as he is in 9th centile they would not do anything. But it is becoming more obvious that his head is smaller. So no I don't think it gets dealt with early and the mother feels so ashamed and unsupported that she will not admit it