Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in pediatrics. FASD and the pediatrician (original) (raw)
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders -What does it mean
Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2020
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) thus includes a continuum of disorders that occur in children as a result of their mothers’ consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. The most severe of these disorders is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FASD presents differently in every child, but all children with FASD have intellectual and/or behavioral impairments [3]. In general, FASD includes a pattern of retarded growth and development, both neuropsychological and physical, with typical facial dysmorphic features, found in some children exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. The signs and symptoms of FASD may include any mix of physical defects, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and problems functioning and coping with daily life. This is therefore termed Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) rather than previous term FAS which is now used only to describe the most severe type of FASD. Some doctors prefer to call it FAE (Fetal Alcohol Effects) for less severe phenotype .
Educating Health Professionals about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
American Journal of Health Education, 2007
Prenatal exposure to alcohol is a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) describes the full continuum of effects that can occur in an individual exposed to alcohol in utero. 1 These effects include physical, mental, behavioral, and learning disabilities; all of these problems have lifelong implications. The term FASDs is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis, but instead comprises several conditions, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is characterized by specifi c facial features, growth defi ciencies, and central nervous system (CNS) problems. 2 The majority of individuals with conditions related to prenatal alcohol exposure do not meet the diagnostic criteria for FAS. These nondysmorphic individuals, although having CNS problems, very often are not provided with appropriate services. 3 Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported FAS prevalence rates in the United States
The diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The New Educational Review
Prenatal exposure of a child to alcohol may cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FAS/FASD). As a result, the aff ected child may exhibit lower intellect, neurosensory disorders, hyperactivity, executive functions disorder, abstract thinking and behaviour disorders combined with growth disorders and facial dysmorphia. In addition, undiagnosed and untreated children may suff er from serious secondary and tertiary disabilities. Th e aim of this paper is to provide a research overview of practical information about FAS/FASD syndrome, a presentation of the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code method and a sample of the research results by the fi rst Centre of Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of FAS in Slovakia.
Rivista di psichiatria
It is now known that exposure to alcohol in utero produces a wide spectrum of morphological and behavioural outcomes in the offspring, commonly referred as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). A large body of literature documents cognitive deficits and behavioural-emotional difficulties in children with FASD. Researchers have found that individuals with FASD often experience a range of adverse life outcomes, called secondary disabilities, which include disrupted school experience, troubles with the law, confinement, inappropriate sexual behaviours on repeated occasions, and alcohol/drug related problems. Additionally, despite considerable data published on cognitive and behavioural disabilities in children with FASD, relatively little information is available on behavioural or pharmacological interventions for alcohol affected children. This paper will provide a comprehensive review of the neuropsychological and behavioural effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, including a discu...
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2014
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for somatic, behavioral, and neurological abnormalities. Affected individuals exhibit a wide range of such features referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). These are characterized by a more or less specific pattern of minor facial dysmorphic features, growth deficiency and central nervous system symptoms. Nevertheless, whereas the diagnosis of the full-blown fetal alcohol syndrome does not pose a major challenge, only a tentative diagnosis of FASD can be reached if only mild features are present and/or maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy cannot be verified. The respective disorders have lifelong implications. The teratogenic mechanisms induced by PAE can lead to various additional somatic findings and structural abnormalities of cerebrum and cerebellum. At the functional level, cognition, motor coordination, attention, language development, executive functions, memory, social perception and emotion processing are impaired to a variable extent. The long-term development is characterized by disruption and failure in many domains; an age-adequate independency is frequently not achieved. In addition to primary prevention, individual therapeutic interventions and tertiary prevention are warranted; provision of extensive education to affected subjects and their caregivers is crucial. Protective environments are often required to prevent negative consequences such as delinquency, indebtedness or experience of physical/sexual abuse.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: An Overview
Neuropsychology Review, 2011
When fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) was initially described, diagnosis was based upon physical parameters including facial anomalies and growth retardation, with evidence of developmental delay or mental deficiency. Forty years of research has shown that FAS lies towards the extreme end of what are now termed fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The most profound effects of prenatal alcohol exposure are
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: What Pediatric Providers Need to Know
Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2017
Prenatal alcohol exposure is the cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), the prevalence of which is similar to that of other developmental disabilities like Down syndrome and autism. Children, adolescents, and adults who live with the disabilities associated with prenatal alcohol exposure face extraordinary challenges throughout their lives. Pediatric providers need to be able to identify patients with FASD because early recognition and intervention is known to improve life outcomes for affected individuals. The purposes of this continuing education activity are to report what is known about the prevalence of FASDs; to detail the spectrum of problems experienced by affected individuals; and to suggest specific strategies for preventing, identifying, and managing FASDs in clinical practice.