Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Guideline for Diagnosis Across the Lifespan

Introduction

• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Range of effects from prenatal alcohol exposure.
• Prevalence: Estimated at 1 in 100 people in Canada.

Diagnosis Challenges

• Requires a medical evaluation and neurodevelopmental assessment by a multidisciplinary team.
• The field has evolved since 2005 with more evidence and expertise.

Scope and Recommendations

• Focused on the diagnostic process for multidisciplinary teams.
• Recommendations for:
  • Screening, referral, and support for pregnant/postpartum women and at-risk individuals.
  • Medical assessment including family and maternal alcohol history.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessment and sentinel facial features.

Guideline Development

• Steering Committee: 14 members including psychologists, pediatricians, and researchers.
• Developed using the AGREE II framework.
• Literature review from 2005 to 2014 and consultations with diagnostic centers.

Key Updates in the Guideline

• Use of FASD as a diagnostic term.
• Special considerations for infants, young children, and adults.
• Removal of growth as a diagnostic criterion.
• Addition of an at-risk category.
• Revision of brain domains in the neurodevelopmental assessment.

Implementation

• Training programs and conferences planned for dissemination.
• Collaboration with professional societies to develop materials and tools.

Gaps in Knowledge

• Need for diagnostic biomarkers and tools for sensory processing and sleep disorders.
• Further association studies between prenatal alcohol exposure and mental health problems.

Conclusion

• Updated guidelines aim to improve diagnosis and care for individuals with FASD.
• Emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis for better outcomes and prevention.

Key Points

• FASD diagnosis is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
• Essential for improving individual and family outcomes.

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to clinicians and individuals who contributed to the guideline development.

References

• Cite relevant studies and previous guidelines from 2005.