What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? Conspiracy theorists speculate missing Athena Brownfield, 4, had rare condition

Four-year-old Athena Brownfield has been missing since Tuesday, January 10. She was last seen on the 200 block of West Nebraska in Cyril at around 2:00 p.m. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is now treating the search for the youngster as a recovery operation. The notion that Athena has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is currently being discussed online. Ivon Adams, 36, and Alysa Adams, 31, were also detained on January 12 on Thursday. Ivon is accused of one case of first-degree murder and one count of child abuse, while Alysia is accused of two charges of child abuse.

What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

According to Mayo Clinic, "Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible." According to the outlet, some of the symptoms include,  "Distinctive facial features, including small eyes, an exceptionally thin upper lip, a short, upturned nose, and a smooth skin surface between the nose and upper lip, Deformities of joints, limbs and fingers, Slow physical growth before and after birth ,Vision difficulties or hearing problems, Small head circumference and brain size, Heart defects and problems with kidneys and bones." Additional issues with the brain and central nervous system are addressed in the publication, "Inability to balance or move well, learning disabilities, and delayed development, Poor memory, difficulties paying attention and processing information, issues with reasoning and problem-solving, problems recognizing the effects of choices, poor judgement, jitteriness or hyperactivity, and abrupt mood changes are all symptoms of poor memory." Children with FAS will experience social and behavioral challenges throughout their lifespan, including, "Problems with conduct and impulse control, difficulty getting along with people, poor social skills, difficulty adapting to change or going from one task to another Inability to plan ahead or work toward a goal, problems keeping on track, and a poor understanding of time "according to Mayo Clinic.