Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Australia: From Fiction to Fact and to the Future

Elliott, Elizabeth J; Bower, Carol

doi:10.1007/978-1-0716-2613-9_13

Cited by 2 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 172 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) describes a group of neurodevelopmental disorders related to maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy. Several diagnostic systems for FASD exist, which differ somewhat in diagnostic criteria and nomenclature (Elliott et al., 2023). In most systems, the most severe subgroup—fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) requires the combination of typical facial dysmorphism, prenatal, or postnatal growth retardation and structural (brain anomalies, reduced head circumference) or functional brain abnormalities (including epilepsy) (Elliott et al., 2023).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several diagnostic systems for FASD exist, which differ somewhat in diagnostic criteria and nomenclature (Elliott et al., 2023). In most systems, the most severe subgroup—fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) requires the combination of typical facial dysmorphism, prenatal, or postnatal growth retardation and structural (brain anomalies, reduced head circumference) or functional brain abnormalities (including epilepsy) (Elliott et al., 2023). Based on the 4‐Digit Diagnostic Code, University of Washington, the spectrum includes four subgroups: full fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), static encephalopathy, and neurobehavioral disorder (Astley et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency of epilepsy and pathological EEG findings in a Norwegian sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Impact on cognition and adaptive functioning

Gerstner,

Henning,

Løhaugen

et al. 2023

Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research

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BackgroundFetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) comprises a combination of developmental, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities that occur in children exposed to alcohol prenatally. A higher prevalence of epilepsy and pathological electroencephalographic (EEG) features have also been reported in individuals with FASD. We examined the frequency of epilepsy, pathological EEG findings, and their implications for cognitive and adaptive functioning in children with FASD.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study of 148 children with FASD who underwent a multidisciplinary assessment and a 120‐min EEG recording. Group comparisons and regression analyses were performed to test the associations between epilepsy and pathological EEG findings, FASD subgroups and neurocognitive test results and adaptive functioning.ResultsThe frequency of epilepsy was 6%, which compares with 0.7% in Norway overall. Seventeen percent of children without epilepsy had pathological EEG findings. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was diagnosed in 64% of the children. Children with epilepsy and/or pathological EEG findings had comparable cognitive and adaptive scores to those with normal EEG. However, children with frontal EEG pathology (without epilepsy) had significantly lower scores on the IQ indices Processing speed and Working memory than FASD children without such findings, irrespective of ADHD comorbidity.ConclusionsThere was a greater prevalence of epilepsy among children with FASD than in the general Norwegian population. A greater frequency of EEG pathology was also evident in children without epilepsy, across all FASD subgroups. Irrespective of epilepsy, ADHD comorbidity, and FASD subgroup, children with frontal EEG pathology, despite having a normal total IQ, showed significantly slower processing speed and poorer working memory, which may indicate specific executive function deficits that could affect learning and adaptive functioning.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Frequency of epilepsy and pathological EEG findings in a Norwegian sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Impact on cognition and adaptive functioning

Gerstner,

Henning,

Løhaugen

et al. 2023

Alcohol, Clinical and Experimental Research

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“…Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term that captures the neurodevelopmental and physical impairments resulting from alcohol exposure in utero ( 1 ). FASD continues to be underrecognized and underdiagnosed ( 2 , 3 ), with general prevalence estimates between 0.01 and 0.68 per 1,000 live births in Australia ( 4 , 5 ). However, the current prevalence rates are considered to be underestimates, as we have largely relied on passive surveillance systems to monitor FASD ( 4 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An evaluation of a multi-site fetal alcohol spectrum disorder models of care project

Panton

Fitzpatrick

Pestell

2023

Front. Public Health

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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) continues to be underdiagnosed in Australia, partly due to the lack of trained clinicians and diagnostic services. This project aimed to help increase FASD knowledge and diagnostic capacity across Australia. Six sites across Australia formed part of a national consortium, delivering training clinics, diagnostic clinics and community education sessions. The number of FASD diagnoses significantly increased across the project. Additionally, the number of community education sessions steadily increased across the project, with largely positive feedback. Participants attending the training clinics demonstrated increased knowledge of and confidence in FASD diagnosis. This evaluation showcases the benefits of a coordinated approach to prevention, assessment, diagnosis and training in FASD.

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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Australia: From Fiction to Fact and to the Future

Cited by 2 publications

References 172 publications

Frequency of epilepsy and pathological EEG findings in a Norwegian sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Impact on cognition and adaptive functioning

Frequency of epilepsy and pathological EEG findings in a Norwegian sample of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Impact on cognition and adaptive functioning

An evaluation of a multi-site fetal alcohol spectrum disorder models of care project

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