Besides clinodactyly, which musculoskeletal abnormality is described with fetal alcohol syndrome?

• A. Radioulnar synostosis
• B. Hypertrichosis
• C. Shortening of the tibia
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (A)

Fetal alcohol exposure can produce a range of skeletal abnormalities, including radioulnar synostosis, which is a congenital fusion of the radius and ulna in the forearm. This forearm malformation limits rotation because the two bones do not separate properly during development. It reflects disruption of limb bud segmentation in early gestation from alcohol exposure. Clinodactyly is another skeletal finding sometimes seen with fetal alcohol syndrome, but radioulnar synostosis specifically illustrates a forearm structural anomaly linked to this condition. The other options—excessive hair growth, shortening of the tibia, or hypertension—are not typical musculoskeletal malformations described with fetal alcohol syndrome.