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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Prepared by Ms. A. Harrington McCabe Sources: FASWorld Canada The Hospital for Sick Children. About FASD.

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

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  1. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Prepared by Ms. A. Harrington McCabe Sources: FASWorld Canada The Hospital for Sick Children

  2. About FASD • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term used to describe a range of disabilities that may affect people whose mothers drank alcohol during pregnancy. • FASD is an umbrella term that covers several alcohol-related medical diagnoses. These include: • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) • partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS) • alcohol-related neuro-developmental disorder (ARND) • alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD)

  3. How do you get FASD? • The ONLY way someone can get FASD is if their mother drank alcohol when she was pregnant. • Alcohol causes brain damage in the developing baby. THERE IS NO SAFE AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY nor a SAFE TIME to drink alcohol during pregnancy. • There is no gene for FASD! • Fathers can’t cause FASD; however men who drink influence their partners to drink. Being supportive means reducing/eliminating his consumption.

  4. Incidence of FASD • Approximately 9 live births out of 1,000 are affected which is approximately 1% (300,000) of Canadians. • FASD occurs in all cultures and levels of society, rate is much higher in rural/remote areas with lower economic levels. • FASD has the largest incidence of any major birth defect. • In Canada and the U.S., of 10,000 births: • 3 out of 10,000 will have Muscular Dystrophy; • 4 with HIV infection; • 4 with Cystic Fibrosis; • 8 will be born with Spina Bifida; • 10 with Down Syndrome; • 20 will have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; • and another 100 will have Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorder

  5. Physical Effects of FASD Not all alcohol effected children have these physical features, however all have growth retardation, brain damage, (including behavioural impairement) and failure to thrive.

  6. Genomics Glossary • Camptodactyly: Permanent flexion contracture of a finger or toe. • Clinodactyly: Permanent curving of the fifth finger, usually toward the other fingers; also seen for other fingers or toes. • Epicanthal folds: Skinfolds covering the inner corners of the eyes. Epicanthal folds occur commonly in infants and may persist in persons of certain ancestries. • "Hockey stick" palmar crease: Transverse flexion crease of the palm close to the fingers; widens like the end of a hockey stick and ends between the second and third fingers. • Palpebral fissure length: Distance between the inner and outer corners of one eye. • Philtrum: Vertical groove between the nose and upper lip; a flat or smooth philtrum can present in persons with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. • Ptosis: Drooping of the upper eyelids. • "Railroad track" ears: The top part (curve) of the outer ear is underdeveloped, folded over, and parallel to the curve beneath it, giving the appearance of a railroad track. • Vermilion border: Edge of the lip where it meets the skin of the face.

  7. Railroad Track Ears & Hockey Stick Palms

  8. Philtrum Variations by Race(#4 and #5 are Fetal Alcohol Effected)

  9. A FASD Newborn

  10. Cognitive Effects of FASD • Inability to foresee consequences • Inability to learn from previous experience • Learning difficulties; communication problems • Poor judgement (prefrontal cortex dysfunction) • Poor abstract thinking • Poor adaptability • Low IQ levels Brain of normal 6 month old (left) Brain of FASD 6 month old (right)

  11. Brain Abnormalities in FAS

  12. Embryonic Development

  13. Behavioural Effects of FASD • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) effects about ½ of all FASD children/people • Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) • Inappropriate or immature behaviour • Lack of organization • Poor impulse control/Conduct Disorder • impaired social & adaptive ability • Chronic lying & stealing • Tantrums, violence and aggression • Lack of conscience • Often choose highly addictive behaviours

  14. Secondary disabilities of FASD Problem% of cases of FASD Mental health problems (depression/OCD) 95% Dependent living 80% Employment problems/unemployed 80% Disruptive school experience (drop out) 68% Trouble with law 68% Confinement 55% (prison, drug/alcohol treatment, mental institution) Inappropriate sexual behaviour 52% Alcohol or drug problems 30%

  15. Can FASD be cured? • Unfortunately, FASD cannot be cured. People live with FASD for their entire life. • However, people with FASD can still do very well with helpful supports and services. Some examples include special education, vocational programs, tutors, structured environments, and lifelong care. They can find paid work or go to school if given special assistance. • They require a lifetime of support.

  16. Breastfeeding & Alcohol • FASD can be caused only by exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. But, if you drink alcohol while breastfeeding, alcohol passes into the breast milk and the baby drinks it. • The baby's brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) continue to grow after birth, and can be affected by alcohol. • Studies show that alcohol in breast milk interferes with the mother's milk production and causes babies to eat less and to sleep less.

  17. Making a Difference Bonnie Buxton, author of Damaged Angels and her adopted daughter Colette who is FASD effected. Liz Kulp (16) diagnosed with FAE at 12. Adopted as a toddler, Liz’s family has gone through attachment issues, years of night terrors, rages, and diagnosis of failure-to-thrive, light, food, sound sensitivities, ADHD, ADD, central auditory processing disorder, visual processing disorder and finally FAE. At 13, she wrote a book The Best I Can Be Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Effects, which won an award. At 14, she was on the Rikki Lake show and at 15 she founded Mo’Angels and travels with her mom to educate young people about FASD.

  18. Financial Cost to Society • Some researchers estimate that EACH individual with FASD costs society approximately $2 million in his or her lifetime, for health problems, special education, psychotherapy and counseling, welfare, crime, and the criminal justice system. • During their lifetimes, the individuals with FASD now alive in Canada will cost the taxpayers about $600 billion, about the same as the current national debt. About $6 trillion in the US. • People with FASD tend to have many children, typically 4 or 5 by the time she is 21, who generally also have FASD -- and the cycle continues.

  19. Additional Information • Your doctor, community health nurse, midwife or other health care provider • Your local public health unit, community health/resource centre, or Friendship Centre • Your provincial or territorial Ministry of Health • The FASD Information Service (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse) 1(800) 559-4514 • www.fasworld.com • www.health.gov.on.ca

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