Good Parenting

Do you know a child who may have received a prenatal exposure to alcohol? Have you adopted a child or do you work with a child that may have the affects of prenatal exposure to alcohol? This article will discuss types of FASD to include the subtypes.

Since this syndrome was first reported in 1973 four diagnostic systems have been developed. The Centers for Disease Control “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Guidelines for Referral and Diagnosis” which established general consensus on the diagnosis in the US.

A child suspected of this syndrome should have a complete evaluation to include assessment of the four key features of this syndrome. The four key features are: growth deficiency, specific facial features, central nervous system damage, and prenatal exposure to alcohol.

There is some disagreement among medical professionals about children that have some of the four key features but not all of them.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has the most consensus among medical professionals and has a ICD-9 or ICD-10 diagnosis. The complete evaluation to determine diagnosis should include an assessment of the child’s central nervous system, speech/language, and fine motor skills which are assessed by an occupational therapist. After the testing is complete the team should work together to interpret the data of each key feature that was assessed, and develop a multi disciplinary report to diagnose this in a child.

Partial FAS have a confirmed history of prenatal exposure, but may lack growth deficiency of the complete facial stigmata. The following criteria must be met for a diagnosis: Growth deficiency-may range from normal to deficient, facial features-Two or three specific facial features present, CNS damage-clinically significant, neurological impairment in three or more of the Ten Brain Domains, and a confirmed prenatal exposure.

Fetal alcohol Effects (FAE) can be made after a confirmed prenatal exposure but without obvious physical anomaly.

By understanding this important diagnosis you may be able to help a child in your life!