Make Children First Kamloops

FASD

Updated Friday, 11 December 2009 |

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term for the range of harm that is caused by alcohol use during pregnancy. It includes several medical diagnostic categories including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). FASD is preventable, but not curable. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a difference.

The following are characteristics of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Children exposed prenatally to alcohol, who do not show the characteristic physical/external or facial characteristics of FAS, may suffer from equally severe central nervous system damage.

Age of Child	Characteristics
Infants	Facial dysmorphology – the characteristic facial features include small eye opening, flat mid-face, then upper lip, flattened ridges between base of nose and upper lip; ear anomalies Low birth weight; failure to thrive; small size; small head circumference, and ongoing growth retardation Disturbed sleep, irritability, persistent restlessness Failure to develop routine patterns of behaviour Prone to infections May be floppy or too rigid because of poor muscle tone May have one of the following birth defect: congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, anomalies of the urethra and genitals, spina bifida
Toddlers & Preschoolers	Facial dysmorphology – as above Developmental delays Slow to acquire skills Sleep and feeding problems persist Sensory hyper-sensitivity (irritability, stiffness when held or touched, refusal to brush hair or teeth, over-reaction to injury) Late development of motor skills – clumsy and accident prone
If there are concerns, advise parent to contact Interior Métis Child & Family Services for information and support at phone 554-9486 or Infant Development Program at 371-4140 for children under 36 months; or Children’s Therapy & Family Resource Centre at 371-4100 for children 36 months and older.

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