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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)FFetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)EnglishNeurologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyNAConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2023-07-04T04:00:00Z10.000000000000048.30000000000001359.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes the effects that result from prenatal alcohol exposure.</p><h2>What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)?</h2> <p>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a general or "umbrella" term used to describe disabilities caused when a person drinks alcohol while they are pregnant. FASD includes any of the following diagnoses: </p> <ul> <li>fetal alcohol syndrome with sentinel features<br></li> <li>fetal alcohol syndrome without sentinel features<br></li> </ul><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause many different problems for the baby that could lead to physical problems and problems with learning, attention, memory and behaviour. </li> <li>Problems caused by drinking during pregnancy are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). </li> <li>There is no cure for FASD, but it may be possible to get help for specific problems. It is important to diagnose FASD early. </li> <li>If you are pregnant, do not drink alcohol. </li> </ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of FASD</h2><p>The effects of FASD are not always obvious at birth. Often, behavioural and learning problems are not noticed until the child is old enough to go to school.<br></p><p>Some people with FASD have a mixture of specific facial features and developmental problems. Many children with FASD do not have specific facial features.</p><h3>Problems with development and learning</h3><p>Children with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:<br></p><ul><li>uneven cognitive profile (they have strengths in some areas but significant weakness in others); cognitive skills include attention, memory and problem solving</li><li>slow learning, short attention span, hyperactivity, impulsivity or memory problems </li><li><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/learningdisabilities">learning disabilities</a>, especially with reading, comprehension and abstract math </li><li>delays in speech and language, for example, receptive language disorder, and social difficulties with language, such as interrupting, talking out of context or chatting with no content </li><li>weak executive function skills, including difficulties with organization, planning and reasoning </li><li>inability to manage money, for example by saving and budgeting </li><li>inability to understand cause and effect </li><li>difficulties with emotional regulation</li></ul><h3>Sensory integration problems</h3><p>Children with FASD may have problems with sensory integration. These problems may involve one or more senses, such as: </p><ul><li>sensitivity to touch; the child may not be able to tolerate tags in shirts or seams in clothing </li><li>seeming to need more touch than other children; for example, the child may need tight hugs</li><li>seeming to not feel or communicate pain</li><li>getting upset with bright lights or noise </li><li>noticing smells more than others </li><li>being bothered by "every little thing" </li></ul><p>These problems may occur in combination. A child with FASD could be hypersensitive to bright lights but crave deep pressure or touch. </p><h3>Behaviour and mood problems</h3><p>Babies with FASD may:</p><ul><li>be irritable, nervous or sensitive to sound and light </li><li>cry often </li><li>be very quiet and not very responsive </li><li>have difficulties with sleep</li></ul><p>Children and teens with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:</p><ul><li>behavioural problems, such as aggressive or defiant behaviours</li><li>mental illness, such as <a href="/article?contentid=18&language=english">anxiety</a>, <a href="/article?contentid=19&language=english">depression</a> or psychosis </li><li>drug and alcohol problems </li><li>anger control problems or violence </li><li>impulse control problems such as stealing or confabulating (misremembering or producing false memories) or lying frequently</li></ul><p>Poor judgment, impulsivity and the inability to connect an action with its consequences are the hallmarks of FASD. As a result, people with FASD are at high risk for getting in trouble with the law. </p><h3>Physical problems</h3><p>At birth, babies may have one or more of the following:</p><ul><li>low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg or 5 lb 8 oz) </li><li>small head size </li><li>specific facial features may include thin upper lip, flatness under the nose and smaller eyes</li></ul><p>Other physical problems may include:</p><ul><li>small height and/or weight </li><li>bone, joint or muscle problems </li><li>hearing problems </li><li>repeated ear infections </li><li>visual and eye problems </li><li>genital defects </li><li>heart defects </li><li>kidney problems </li></ul><h2>FASD is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy</h2> <p>FASD can happen when a pregnant person drinks any type of alcohol, including beer, wine, hard liquor or coolers. Alcohol crosses the placenta from parent to baby. Any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD. </p> <ul> <li>Pregnancies are at higher risk of FASD when a pregnant person has one or more drinks per day, or seven or more drinks on average per week, or four or more drinks on any one occasion. </li> <li>Recent evidence suggests that even one drink per day may cause behavioural problems. </li> </ul> <p>The kinds of problems the baby may have depends on when the parent drinks during the pregnancy:</p> <ul> <li>Since the brain is developing during the entire pregnancy, the brain is always being affected if the mother drinks alcohol regularly. </li> <li>Drinking alcohol during the first trimester increases the chance that the baby will have a small brain, physical problems and/or severe intellectual disability. </li> <li>Drinking alcohol during the second trimester increases the chances of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). </li> <li>Drinking during the third trimester, and during nursing, can affect intelligence. </li> </ul> <p>Not all babies who are exposed to alcohol during pregnancy will have FASD. We do not yet understand why some babies are affected and others are not.<br></p> <h2>FASD is common</h2> <p>FASD affects at least 4% of people living in Canada. This means that there are over 1.5 million people with FASD living in Canada today. </p><h2>How FASD is diagnosed</h2> <p>There is no specific blood test that diagnoses children with FASD. Making a diagnosis of FASD requires involvement of a multi-disciplinary team. The assessment may include: </p> <ul> <li>asking about the pregnancy and the child's birth </li> <li>doing a physical exam including assessing facial features<br></li> <li>a developmental/cognitive assessment: testing the child's cognition, academic skills, memory, motor functioning, speech and language, attention, executive functioning, adaptive skills and mental health<br></li> </ul><h2>There is no cure for FASD</h2> <p>There is not a specific treatment for FASD. However, it is important to diagnose FASD early to improve outcomes.</p> <ul> <li>Physical and occupational therapy can often help. </li> <li>A child with FASD should have psycho-educational testing to find specific strengths and difficulties. This will help the child get services in school. </li> <li>Social workers can help the family connect to appropriate community resources and deal with challenging family issues. </li> </ul><h2>Resources</h2><p>Canada FASD Research Network: <a href="https://canfasd.ca/">canfasd.ca</a></p><h2>References</h2><p>Cook, J.L., Green, C.R., Lilley, C.M., Anderson, S.M., Baldwin, M.E., Chudley, A.E., . . . Rosales, T. (2016). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan. <em>Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 188</em>(3) 191–197. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.141593">10.1503/cmaj.141593</a></p><p>Popova, S., Lange, S., Chudley, A.E., Reynolds, J.N., Rehm, J., May, P.A., & Riley, E.P. (2018). World health organization international study on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): Canadian component. <em>CAMH Publications</em>. The Institute for Mental Health Policy Research & Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Retrieved from: <a href="https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-Popova-WHO-FASD-Prevalance-Report.pdf">https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-Popova-WHO-FASD-Prevalance-Report.pdf</a></p><p>Thanh, N.X., Jonsson, E., Salmon, A., & Sebastianski, M. (2014). Incidence and prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by sex and age group in Alberta, Canada. <em>Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology, 21(3)</em>, e395-e404. Retrieved from: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25381628/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25381628/</a></p>
Ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF)EEnsemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF)Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)FrenchNeurologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyNAConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2009-11-06T05:00:00Z9.0000000000000054.00000000000001132.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Apprenez comment la consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse peut entraîner des retards physiques et cognitifs chez le bébé, appelés collectivement l’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF).</p><h2>Qu’est-ce que l’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF)?</h2> <p>L’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF) est un terme générique qui décrit les affections qui découlent de la consommation d’alcool par une femme enceinte. L’ETCAF comprend les diagnostics suivants :</p> <ul> <li>le syndrome d'alcoolisation fœtale (SAF)</li> <li>le syndrome d'alcoolisation fœtale partielle (SAFp)</li> <li>les troubles neurologiques du développement liés à l'alcool (TNDLA)</li> <li>les anomalies congénitales liées à l'alcool (ACLA).</li> </ul><h2>À retenir</h2> <ul> <li>La consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse peut entraîner de nombreux problèmes variés chez les bébés, y compris des problèmes physiques et des problèmes d’apprentissage, d’attention, de mémoire et de comportement.</li> <li>Les problèmes causés par la consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse s’appellent l’ensemble des troubles causés par l’alcoolisation fœtale (ETCAF).</li> <li>Il n’existe aucun traitement pour l’ETCAF, mais il est possible d’obtenir de l’aide pour certains problèmes précis. C’est important de diagnostiquer l’ETCAF tôt.</li> <li>Si vous êtes enceinte, ne buvez pas d’alcool.</li> </ul><h2>Signes et symptômes de l’ETCAF</h2> <p>Les effets de l’ETCAF ne sont pas toujours évidents à la naissance. Souvent, des problèmes de comportement ou d’apprentissage ne sont décelés que lorsque l’enfant est assez âgé pour aller à l’école. Des différences avec les autres enfants deviennent apparentes à les 3e et 4e années.</p> <p>Certaines personnes atteintes de l’ETCAF présentent un mélange de problèmes physiques et de santé mentale. De nombreux enfants avec l’ETCAF n’ont aucun problème physique./p> </p><h3>Problèmes d’intelligence et d’apprentissage</h3> <p>Les enfants atteints de l’ETCAF peuvent avoir un ou plusieurs des problèmes suivants :</p> <ul> <li>QI en-dessous de 70; toutefois, la plupart des enfants atteints de l’ETCAF ont un QI normal,</li> <li>retard d’apprentissage, capacité d’attention réduite, hyperactivité ou problèmes de mémoire,</li> <li>problèmes d’apprentissage, surtout de la lecture, la compréhension et les mathématiques abstraites,</li> <li>des retards ou des manques de compétences en matière d’expression orale et de langage: par exemple, l’enfant peut avoir un problème pour comprendre ce qu'on lui dit, il peut interrompre, parler à tord et à travers, ou babiller sans contenu,</li> <li>manque de capacité d’organisation, de planification et de raisonnement,</li> <li>incapacité à gérer de l’argent, par exemple à économiser ou faire un budget,</li> <li>incapacité à comprendre les liens de cause à effet. </li> </ul> <h3>Problèmes d’intégration sensorielle</h3> <p>Les enfants atteints de l’ETCAF peuvent avoir besoin de plus ou de moins de stimulation que tout un chacun. On appelle cela un problème d’intégration sensorielle. Ces problèmes peuvent impliquer un sens ou plusieurs :</p> <ul> <li>avoir une sensibilité au toucher; l’enfant peut ne pas supporter les étiquettes ou les coutures des vêtements,</li> <li>sembler avoir besoin de plus de contacts physiques que d’autres enfants; par exemple, l’enfant peut avoir besoin d’être serré fort et peut ne pas sembler ressentir de douleur,</li> <li>détester les lumières vives ou les bruits,</li> <li>percevoir des odeurs plus que les autres,</li> <li>être dérangé par des choses insignifiantes. </li> </ul> <p>Ces problèmes peuvent être présents en combinaison. Un enfant atteint de l’ETCAF pourrait être hypersensible à la lumière, mais avoir besoin de pression ou de toucher.</p> <h3>Comportement et sautes d’humeur</h3> <p>Les bébés atteints de l’ETCAF peuvent présenter un ou plusieurs des problèmes suivants :</p> <ul> <li>ils sont irritables, nerveux ou sensibles aux sons et à la lumière,</li> <li>ils pleurent souvent,</li> <li>ils sont très calmes et peu réceptifs. </li> </ul> <p>Les enfants atteints de l’ETCAF peuvent présenter un ou plusieurs des problèmes suivants :</p> <ul> <li>problèmes de comportement, comme un trouble oppositionnel avec provocation et des comportements agressifs ou de défiance, </li> <li>problèmes de santé mentale, comme de la dépression ou des psychoses, </li> <li>problèmes de drogue et d’alcool, </li> <li>difficultés à contrôler leur colère ou ont des comportements violents. </li> </ul> <p>Un mauvais jugement et l’incapacité à relier une action avec ses conséquences sont des caractéristiques de l’ETCAF. Ainsi, les personnes atteintes de l’ETCAF risquent fort d’avoir des problèmes avec la loi.</p> <h3>Problèmes physiques</h3> <p>À la naissance, les bébés peuvent avoir un ou plusieurs des problèmes suivants :</p> <ul> <li>faible poids à la naissance (moins de 2,5 kg ou 5 lb 8 oz),</li> <li>petite tête,</li> <li>déformations du visage et de la bouche,</li> <li>visage aplati,</li> <li>caractéristiques faciales types telles qu’une lèvre supérieure mince, une zone aplatie sous le nez et de petits yeux.</li> </ul> <p>D’autres problèmes physiques peuvent comprendre :</p> <ul> <li>un retard de croissance,</li> <li>une petite taille ou un petit poids,</li> <li>une petite taille à l’âge adulte,</li> <li>des problèmes osseux, articulaires ou musculaires,</li> <li>problèmes d’audition,</li> <li>otites à répétition,</li> <li>problèmes oculaires et de vision,</li> <li>malformations génitales,</li> <li>malformations cardiaques,</li> <li>problèmes rénaux.</li> </ul><h2>L’ETCAF est causé par la consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse</h2> <p>L’ETCAF peut se produire lorsqu’une femme enceinte consomme n’importe quel type d’alcool, ce qui inclut la bière, le vin, les spiritueux ou les vins panachés. L’alcool traverse la barrière placentaire de la mère vers le bébé. Toute consommation d’alcool pendant la grossesse présente des risques d’ETCAF.</p> <ul> <li>Les risques élevés commencent à partir de deux consommations par jour ou de 14 consommations en moyenne par semaine, ou encore, 4 consommations ou plus en une fois.</li> <li>Des études récentes tendent à suggérer que même un verre par jour peut entraîner des problèmes de comportement. </li> </ul> <p>Les problèmes que le bébé peut connaître dépendent du moment où la mère consomme de l’alcool durant la grossesse :</p> <ul> <li>Puisque le cerveau se développe pendant toute la grossesse, le cerveau est touché si la mère boit régulièrement de l’alcool.</li> <li>La consommation d’alcool au cours du premier trimestre accroît les risques pour le bébé d’avoir un petit cerveau, des problèmes d’ordre physique et un retard mental grave.</li> <li>La consommation d’alcool pendant le second trimestre augmente les risques d’avortement spontané (fausse couche).</li> <li>La consommation d’alcool au cours du troisième trimestre et pendant l’allaitement peut avoir une incidence sur l’intelligence.</li> </ul> <p>Ce ne sont pas tous les bébés exposés à l’alcool au cours de la grossesse qui seront atteints d’ETCAF. Nous ne savons pas encore pourquoi certains bébés ont des problèmes et d’autres pas, même si leur mère a consommé de l’alcool pendant sa grossesse. Dans certains cas, un bébé peut avoir un ETCAF, mais pas son faux jumeau.</p> <h2>L’ETCAF est courant</h2> <p>L’ETCAF touche environ 1 % des personnes au Canada. Cela signifie qu’il peut y avoir environ 300 000 personnes atteintes de l’ETCAF au Canada aujourd'hui. </p><h2>Comment l’ETCAF est-il diagnostiqué</h2> <p>Si vous pensez que votre bébé a pu être exposé à l’alcool avant sa naissance, parlez-en avec votre médecin. Un fournisseur de soins de santé peut diagnostiquer l’ETCAF comme suit : </p> <ul> <li>il posera des questions sur la grossesse de la mère et la naissance de l’enfant,</li> <li>il fera passer un examen physique,</li> <li>il vérifiera les capacités de compréhension, de communication, de déplacement et d’adaptation de l’enfant,</li> <li>il mesurera certaines caractéristiques faciales.</li> </ul><h2>Il n’existe aucun traitement pour l’ETCAF</h2> <p>Il n’est pas facile de « traiter » l’ETCAF. Cependant, il est important de poser le diagnostic d’ETCAF le plus tôt possible, car il existe des mesures qui peuvent aider.</p> <ul> <li>La physiothérapie et l’ergothérapie peuvent aider quelque peu.</li> <li>Un enfant atteint de l’ETCAF devrait subir un examen psychoéducatif pour déterminer s’il a des problèmes d’apprentissage particuliers. Cela permettra à l’enfant d’obtenir à l’école des services qui l’aideront à surmonter ses difficultés.</li> <li>Des travailleurs sociaux peuvent aider la famille à composer avec la situation.</li> </ul>

 

 

 

 

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)857.000000000000Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)FEnglishNeurologyChild (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years)BodyNAConditions and diseasesCaregivers Adult (19+)NA2023-07-04T04:00:00Z10.000000000000048.30000000000001359.00000000000Health (A-Z) - ConditionsHealth A-Z<p>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes the effects that result from prenatal alcohol exposure.</p><h2>What is fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)?</h2> <p>Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a general or "umbrella" term used to describe disabilities caused when a person drinks alcohol while they are pregnant. FASD includes any of the following diagnoses: </p> <ul> <li>fetal alcohol syndrome with sentinel features<br></li> <li>fetal alcohol syndrome without sentinel features<br></li> </ul><h2>Key points</h2> <ul> <li>Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause many different problems for the baby that could lead to physical problems and problems with learning, attention, memory and behaviour. </li> <li>Problems caused by drinking during pregnancy are called fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). </li> <li>There is no cure for FASD, but it may be possible to get help for specific problems. It is important to diagnose FASD early. </li> <li>If you are pregnant, do not drink alcohol. </li> </ul><h2>Signs and symptoms of FASD</h2><p>The effects of FASD are not always obvious at birth. Often, behavioural and learning problems are not noticed until the child is old enough to go to school.<br></p><p>Some people with FASD have a mixture of specific facial features and developmental problems. Many children with FASD do not have specific facial features.</p><h3>Problems with development and learning</h3><p>Children with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:<br></p><ul><li>uneven cognitive profile (they have strengths in some areas but significant weakness in others); cognitive skills include attention, memory and problem solving</li><li>slow learning, short attention span, hyperactivity, impulsivity or memory problems </li><li><a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/learningdisabilities">learning disabilities</a>, especially with reading, comprehension and abstract math </li><li>delays in speech and language, for example, receptive language disorder, and social difficulties with language, such as interrupting, talking out of context or chatting with no content </li><li>weak executive function skills, including difficulties with organization, planning and reasoning </li><li>inability to manage money, for example by saving and budgeting </li><li>inability to understand cause and effect </li><li>difficulties with emotional regulation</li></ul><h3>Sensory integration problems</h3><p>Children with FASD may have problems with sensory integration. These problems may involve one or more senses, such as: </p><ul><li>sensitivity to touch; the child may not be able to tolerate tags in shirts or seams in clothing </li><li>seeming to need more touch than other children; for example, the child may need tight hugs</li><li>seeming to not feel or communicate pain</li><li>getting upset with bright lights or noise </li><li>noticing smells more than others </li><li>being bothered by "every little thing" </li></ul><p>These problems may occur in combination. A child with FASD could be hypersensitive to bright lights but crave deep pressure or touch. </p><h3>Behaviour and mood problems</h3><p>Babies with FASD may:</p><ul><li>be irritable, nervous or sensitive to sound and light </li><li>cry often </li><li>be very quiet and not very responsive </li><li>have difficulties with sleep</li></ul><p>Children and teens with FASD may have one or more of the following problems:</p><ul><li>behavioural problems, such as aggressive or defiant behaviours</li><li>mental illness, such as <a href="/article?contentid=18&language=english">anxiety</a>, <a href="/article?contentid=19&language=english">depression</a> or psychosis </li><li>drug and alcohol problems </li><li>anger control problems or violence </li><li>impulse control problems such as stealing or confabulating (misremembering or producing false memories) or lying frequently</li></ul><p>Poor judgment, impulsivity and the inability to connect an action with its consequences are the hallmarks of FASD. As a result, people with FASD are at high risk for getting in trouble with the law. </p><h3>Physical problems</h3><p>At birth, babies may have one or more of the following:</p><ul><li>low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg or 5 lb 8 oz) </li><li>small head size </li><li>specific facial features may include thin upper lip, flatness under the nose and smaller eyes</li></ul><p>Other physical problems may include:</p><ul><li>small height and/or weight </li><li>bone, joint or muscle problems </li><li>hearing problems </li><li>repeated ear infections </li><li>visual and eye problems </li><li>genital defects </li><li>heart defects </li><li>kidney problems </li></ul><h2>FASD is caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy</h2> <p>FASD can happen when a pregnant person drinks any type of alcohol, including beer, wine, hard liquor or coolers. Alcohol crosses the placenta from parent to baby. Any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD. </p> <ul> <li>Pregnancies are at higher risk of FASD when a pregnant person has one or more drinks per day, or seven or more drinks on average per week, or four or more drinks on any one occasion. </li> <li>Recent evidence suggests that even one drink per day may cause behavioural problems. </li> </ul> <p>The kinds of problems the baby may have depends on when the parent drinks during the pregnancy:</p> <ul> <li>Since the brain is developing during the entire pregnancy, the brain is always being affected if the mother drinks alcohol regularly. </li> <li>Drinking alcohol during the first trimester increases the chance that the baby will have a small brain, physical problems and/or severe intellectual disability. </li> <li>Drinking alcohol during the second trimester increases the chances of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage). </li> <li>Drinking during the third trimester, and during nursing, can affect intelligence. </li> </ul> <p>Not all babies who are exposed to alcohol during pregnancy will have FASD. We do not yet understand why some babies are affected and others are not.<br></p> <h2>FASD is common</h2> <p>FASD affects at least 4% of people living in Canada. This means that there are over 1.5 million people with FASD living in Canada today. </p><h2>How FASD is diagnosed</h2> <p>There is no specific blood test that diagnoses children with FASD. Making a diagnosis of FASD requires involvement of a multi-disciplinary team. The assessment may include: </p> <ul> <li>asking about the pregnancy and the child's birth </li> <li>doing a physical exam including assessing facial features<br></li> <li>a developmental/cognitive assessment: testing the child's cognition, academic skills, memory, motor functioning, speech and language, attention, executive functioning, adaptive skills and mental health<br></li> </ul><h2>There is no cure for FASD</h2> <p>There is not a specific treatment for FASD. However, it is important to diagnose FASD early to improve outcomes.</p> <ul> <li>Physical and occupational therapy can often help. </li> <li>A child with FASD should have psycho-educational testing to find specific strengths and difficulties. This will help the child get services in school. </li> <li>Social workers can help the family connect to appropriate community resources and deal with challenging family issues. </li> </ul><h2>How to help your child with FASD</h2><p>The help your child needs depends on which areas of the brain are affected by the prenatal alcohol exposure and the way those brain injuries are expressed in your child's behaviours. No two children with FASD would have the same problems and need the same type and degree of support. It is important that your child has a comprehensive developmental/cognitive assessment to inform their specific support needs.</p><h2>Preventing FASD</h2><p>The only way to prevent FASD is by not drinking alcohol when pregnant.</p><p>For more information, please see the <a href="https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/pregnancybabies">AboutKidsHealth Pregnancy resource centre</a>. </p><p>If you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, do not drink alcohol. If you have a problem with drinking, talk to your doctor or another health professional. They may be able to help you stop drinking or to cut back on your drinking as much as possible. </p><h2>FASD lasts throughout a child's life</h2><p>The effects of FASD are lifelong. The problems change as the child grows up. Behaviour and mood problems such as alcohol and drug abuse, depression, psychosis and aggressive behaviour may develop in the teenage years. </p><p>Some individuals with FASD have difficulties learning from consequences and, if lacking supports, may develop problems with the criminal justice system.</p><p>People with FASD may have difficulty managing their own lives or being totally independent as adults. They may need some kind of support their whole lives to be successful. </p><h2>Resources</h2><p>Canada FASD Research Network: <a href="https://canfasd.ca/">canfasd.ca</a></p><h2>References</h2><p>Cook, J.L., Green, C.R., Lilley, C.M., Anderson, S.M., Baldwin, M.E., Chudley, A.E., . . . Rosales, T. (2016). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A guideline for diagnosis across the lifespan. <em>Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), 188</em>(3) 191–197. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.141593">10.1503/cmaj.141593</a></p><p>Popova, S., Lange, S., Chudley, A.E., Reynolds, J.N., Rehm, J., May, P.A., & Riley, E.P. (2018). World health organization international study on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): Canadian component. <em>CAMH Publications</em>. The Institute for Mental Health Policy Research & Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Retrieved from: <a href="https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-Popova-WHO-FASD-Prevalance-Report.pdf">https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-Popova-WHO-FASD-Prevalance-Report.pdf</a></p><p>Thanh, N.X., Jonsson, E., Salmon, A., & Sebastianski, M. (2014). Incidence and prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by sex and age group in Alberta, Canada. <em>Journal of Population Therapeutics & Clinical Pharmacology, 21(3)</em>, e395-e404. Retrieved from: <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25381628/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25381628/</a></p> https://assets.aboutkidshealth.ca/AKHAssets/fetal_alcohol_spectrum_disorder.jpgFetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)False ​September is FASD Awareness Month. Learn about the effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and how to help a child with FASD.

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