New guidelines to help healthcare professionals in diagnosing fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) have been published by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN).
It is estimated that approximately 3.2% of babies born in the UK are affected by fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), though the guidance says currently few children are identified or receive support. As such, many children have neurodevelopmental disorders where Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) has not been considered as a possible cause. However early diagnosis and intervention from birth and in the first years of life can make significant differences to the developmental progress of affected children, thus the guidance seeks to improve understanding, identification and care for those affected.
The guideline was developed using a combination of standard SIGN methodology, based on a systematic review of the evidence, and adaption of the Canadian guideline for diagnosis of FASD. Dr Patricia Jackson, Senior Fellow of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Honorary Fellow of University of Edinburgh, and Co-Chair of the Guideline Development Group, said:
“FASD remains undiagnosed in the majority of cases. Diagnosis is currently dependent on professionals being aware of the condition and confident in carrying out a diagnostic assessment. For people with FASD, early identification and support can mean fewer mental health issues, better educational achievements, and improved life chances, reducing the possibility of later difficulties such as homelessness and involvement with the criminal justice system.
I would urge healthcare professionals to read the guideline and become better acquainted with how to make the diagnosis. As a result they can significantly change the lives of people with this disorder.”
Chief Medical Officer Dr Catherine Calderwood, said:
“Early diagnosis of FASD can make a huge difference in a child’s life and these guidelines will help raise awareness of the condition among healthcare professionals.
“We recently announced support for families affected by FASD in our programme for government, and highlighted this condition and actions focused on prevention and early intervention in our recent Alcohol Framework.
“Although this guideline is aimed at health professionals, I would make the call for all agencies to work together to support children and families to get the best outcomes for children with FASD.”
In 2017, an Alcohol Policy UK guest post explored where next for preventing FASD in the UK, arguing concerted efforts are needed to identify children with FASD to ensure that the appropriate support pathways are in place. Alongside this, efforts to ensure the best mechanisms for education of the dangers of alcohol consumption in pregnancy should be increased, including training for midwives, and other health professionals who may be able to offer brief intervention and advice to women both before and after conception.
See here for the full guidelines and supporting documents. See here for Scotland's recent national alcohol framwork which includes supporting families and communities as a key theme.
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