Diagnosis, surveillance, and screening for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: methods and dilemmas

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

10-2007

Publisher

Freund Publishing House

Source Publication

International Journal on Disability and Human Development

Source ISSN

1565-012X

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1515/IJDHD.2007.6.4.343

Abstract

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent preventable disorder with a significant societal burden related to the cognitive and behavioral disabilities associated with this disorder. This paper reviews the published work on FASD diagnosis, surveillance, and screening programs. Challenges inherent to FASD diagnosis remain and complicate attempts to estimate FAS prevalence. In addition, the drive toward diagnostic accuracy has led to the formulation of screening children at school ages after many disabilities associated with FASD are established. We present the design and selected findings from a regional multi-stage screening project piloted in Wisconsin. Small for gestational age (SGA) newborns with birth head circumference less than 10th percentile were selected in the first screening stages. Those meeting these criteria were evaluated for growth, development and FAS facial features at about 2 years of age. Of newborns meeting the initial screening criteria, 30% demonstrated growth deficits and developmental delays at about 2 years of age. Children with any FS facial feature (of 177 children assessed, n=13 with 2 or 3 facial findings, n=77 with one facial finding) showed greater deficits in growth and a greater proportion were developmentally delayed. The findings demonstrate the potential value of embedding screening for FASA within a multistage screening method to identify infants at risk for any developmental delay. Because this model would be a part of larger population screening for developmental delay, cost efficiencies could be achieved. Problems relating to protection and confidentiality that inevitably accompany screening to identify FASD would also be reduced.

Comments

International Journal on Disability and Human Development, Vol. 6, No. 4, (Oct. 2007): 343-360. DOI.

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