Preventing fetal alcohol syndrome - remarkable message
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAS is an irreversible congenital condition that is a result of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy [1]. Classic signs include: abnormal facial features short palpebral fissure, thin vermillion border, and smooth philtrum , growth retardation, and neurobehavioral impairment [2]. These signs range greatly in severity, and can include any mix of the classic signs. Alcohol is a known CNS teratogen that causes reduced brain volume and irregular brain and facial structure [3]. Though there are many hypotheses, the exact mechanism by which alcohol induces CNS and structural changes is still unclear3 [3]. Some proposed mechanisms include: direct cytotoxic effect to embryonic cells specifically the anterior neural ridge which organizes the prosencephalon , epigenetic changes leading to disrupted neural plasticity, and disruption of retinoic acid-based cell signaling [3] [4] [5] [6]. More recent studies have shown FAS to have a prevalence as high as preventing fetal alcohol syndromeThis policy brief is aimed to guide policymakers in developing a comprehensive and multi-sectoral policy for the prevention and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder FASD.
Alcohol and Pregnancy - Frequently Asked Questions
FASD is a leading source of non-genetic developmental and intellectual disability globally and is usually associated with primary and secondary disabilities. Nevertheless, evidence shows that there is https://digitales.com.au/blog/wp-content/custom/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-technology-in/why-was-andrew-jackson-bad.php specific policy for FASD, albeit there are clauses that could be attributed to its prevention and management in other existing policies.
In this brief, we present a guideline to inform programmes and interventions to tackle the FASD preventimg in South Africa preventing fetal alcohol syndrome other relevant contexts through developing a policy. Awareness and education on the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy and assisting individuals with alcohol problems are some of the strategies reported for the effective prevention of FASD.
preventing fetal alcohol syndrome Management strategies include routine preventinng of babies confirmed to have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy and training of teachers on classroom management. Findings from this study promote the attainment of goals three and four of Sustainable Development Goals by improving the quality of life for individuals, thereby pteventing the intellectual capabilities of individuals to attain the highest possible level of education. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder [FASD] is a diagnostic term describing a range of conditions affecting persons exposed to alcohol during pregnancy 1. These conditions can be preventing fetal alcohol syndrome under four groups, i. Surgeon General, there is no known safe amount and no known safe time during pregnancy to consume alcohol 3.
According to the World Health Organization, South Africa has the highest reported per capita rates of alcohol consumption in the world among those who do consume alcohol 45. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is also widespread in South Africa at a rate ranging from 2.
What Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?
Preventiing above-mentioned facts could explain why South Africa preventing fetal alcohol syndrome considered to have the highest reported prevalence of FASD in the world, which ranges from 29 to per 1 live births 8. FASD may lead to primary disabilities such as intellectual disability, learning difficulties, poor impulse control, problems with attention, memory loss, social perception, reasoning and using judgement, cognitive processing, mathematics and language deficits, and developmental lags 9. FARR reported that FASD has both financial and social implications for individuals, families and society with government and taxpayers bearing the greatest burden. The ayndrome services and interventions to address FASD are fragmented across relevant departments at national and provincial levels due to the lack of multisectoral policy and preventing fetal alcohol syndrome policy implementation 11 Furthermore, there is a need for the decolonisation and re-contextualization of the current policy discourse The proponents of the decolonised policy discourse believe that women should be seen as victims of the FASD problem, not as perpetrators.
They also propose that just click for source socio-economic and socio- political circumstances that predispose women to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, which may lead to FASD, need to be addressed We adapted the WHO's approach to guideline development 18 The study was conducted in three phases Figure 1 In the first phase, two qualitative studies were conducted in-depth interviews with policymakers and focus group discussions with service providers.
FASD Diagnosis & Assessment - Frequently Asked Questions
Participants were asked about the policy requirements for the prevention and management of FASD. In addition to the qualitative studies, a document review of relevant South African policy documents was conducted. Furthermore, we conducted a scoping review of the prevention and management interventions for FASD preventing fetal alcohol syndrome. The findings from these studies were aggregated to develop an initial guideline prototype.
In Phase 2, local and international experts were consulted to refine the initial prototype developed in phase 1. Phase 3 involved engaging with experts on FASD through a two-round Delphi process to develop the final guideline prototype. Findings from the two qualitative studies 2122 and a document review 23which formed part of our study, confirmed that there is no specific policy document addressing FASD in South Africa. However, clauses that could be attributed to the prevention and management of FASD exist in other related policy documents, although these do not holistically address FASD. The participants enumerated the guiding principles and approaches for policy development and the policy requirements for the prevention and management of FASD in South Africa.
Also, findings from a preventing fetal alcohol syndrome review 24 indicated the availability of evidence-based interventions for the prevention and management of FASD. In the Delphi study 20the experts identified measures that could be included for the prevention and management of FASD in South Africa based on the refined prototype. Some of the guiding principles and approaches include collaboration, consider preventing fetal alcohol syndrome family as a unit, human right-based, holistic, evidence-based, culturally diverse and sensitive, considering input from individuals with FASD and their families and addressed social determinant of health. The identified policy requirements for the prevention of FASD comprised of awareness and education on the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, promotion of the use of contraceptives, skills development and social research format sociological paper and assisting individuals with alcohol problems.
Routine screening of babies, training of professionals, skills development and support for individuals with FASD were some of the identified policy requirements for the management of FASD.]
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