A newborn with shortened palpebral fissures and microcephaly is likely diagnosed with?

The diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in a newborn exhibiting shortened palpebral fissures and microcephaly aligns with the characteristic physical features associated with this condition. In cases of fetal alcohol syndrome, the teratogenic effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy result in distinctive facial dysmorphologies, which include not only shortened palpebral fissures but also a smooth philtrum and thin upper lip. Microcephaly, which refers to a smaller than normal head size, is also a common finding in infants affected by FAS, reflecting neurodevelopmental impairment associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

In contrast, while Down syndrome may present with various facial features and cognitive impairments, it is typically characterized by additional physical traits like a flat facial profile and increased nuchal fold thickness at birth. Growth retardation is a more general term that can apply to multiple conditions and is not specifically tied to the distinctive facial features observed in this scenario. Hydrocephalus, which involves an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain, can lead to increased head size rather than microcephaly and may not specifically present with the facial features described.

Thus, the combination of shortened palpebral fissures and microcephaly strongly