Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that covers a range of physical, cognitive, behavioural and neurodevelopmental abnormalities that a child can exhibit if exposed to alcohol consumption whilst in vitro. FASD is therefore a condition that arises in a child as a direct result of alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy. The range and severity of FASD related abnormalities can differ from one person to the next, as well varying degrees throughout life. The safest option to prevent FASD is to avoid alcohol throughout pregnancy.
As individual people display varying degrees of symptoms, FASD diagnosis can be difficult and many children go without a diagnosis. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) represents the severe end of the spectrum. FAS is easier to diagnosis due to the following specific criteria, indicative of the disorder:
- Growth Retardation
- Central Nervous System abnormalities (including intellectual impairment).
- Characteristic Facial Features (small eye slits, thin upper lip and a diminished groove between the nose and upper lip).
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines on reducing the health risks associated with FASD is to refrain from consuming any alcohol during pregnancy.
An Australian study of 4,714 children born to non-indigenous mothers in Western Australian between 1995 and 1997 successfully linked the birth and educational records of these children. The study found that children exposed to alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy or excessive alcohols during the third trimester were twice as likely to fail to achieve the benchmark required at school.
However, early intervention services can help reduce some of the effects of foetal alcohol syndrome in children and prevent some of the secondary disabilities that result. Intervention services for the affected child may involve:
- A special education teacher, a speech therapist, physical and occupational therapists, and a psychologist
- Early intervention to help with walking, talking and social skills
- Special services in school to help with learning and behaviour issues
- Counselling to benefit parents and the family in dealing with a child's behaviour problems
- Medications to help with some symptoms
- Medical care for health problems, such as heart abnormalities
To reduce alcohol related harm for both the mother and unborn baby, The Australian Government and The Closing the Gap Initiative recommends mothers to not consume alcohol during pregnancy and by introducing harm reduction strategies such as;
- Decreasing alcohol consumption
- Alternative activities instead of drinking
- Seeking support and treatment from your GP
If you are worried about yourself or anyone else’s drinking please speak to your GP. For more information about Arche Health Aboriginal Health Programs, call 08 9458 0505.
Resource: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2015). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. A review of interventions for prevention and management in indigenous communities, 1-15.