Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Presented by:

Gina Iacobucci, Camilla Najgebauer, Lauren Vera, and Shannon Dowler

Who are we?Who are we?• We are 3rd year Nursing Students from

the University of Ottawa

• We are raising awareness on campus about the issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

What are FASD & FAS??What are FASD & FAS??• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Disorder describes a range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.

• Both are lifelong conditions that affect the individual, the family and the community.

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is one of the disabilities that falls under FASD. FAS is the disorder that includes the physical characteristics.

No one can predict which infants born to women who drink will be affected, nor can anyone predict how severe these effects will be.

Physical Characteristics of FAS

Physical Characteristics of FAS

short opening between eye lids

Not all individuals with FAS will have all three characteristics

thin upper lip

flattened vertical grooves between nose and upper lip

Behavioural & Mental Characteristics of FASDBehavioural & Mental

Characteristics of FASD Can include difficulties with:

• Decision making and judgment• Understanding abstract concepts, such as:

adding, subtracting, time management and handling money

• Understanding consequences of their actions• Emotional stability• Keeping a job

• Social interaction/forming friendships• Sleeping

• The cost of FASD annually to Canada of j those 1-21 yrs old is lkjflasd kjfkjlkj $344,208,000.

FASD StatisticsFASD Statistics• FASD affects approximately 1% of

people living in Canada, that’s 300,000 people.• In Canada, the incidence of FASD has been estimated to be 9 in 1000 live births.

Why should YOU care??Why should YOU care??

Young women between 18-24 years have the highest rate of un-

intended pregnancy.

Binge drinkers (consuming 5 or more drinks in one night) are most likely to be less than 24 years and attending a

post-secondary institution.

+

=U of O students are at risk for conceiving a child with FASD

U of O students are at risk for conceiving a child with FASD

For the Guys:For the Guys:•Biological fathers cannot cause FASD•However, it is known that women who are with partners who drink are more likely to themselves drink during pregnancy.

•A role for future fathers: support the woman’s choice not to drink during her pregnancy.

PreventionPrevention• FASD is the leading cause of

preventable birth defects.

• If you are planning a pregnancy, stop drinking before you get pregnant.

• Don’t wait for a positive opregnancy test!!

Sandy’s LawSandy’s Law• As of February 1, 2005, the

Liquour License Act of Ontario requires alcohol serving and brewing facilities to post signs warning women that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause FASD

• If you work in a bar/pub, please talk to us. We have copies of the poster you can take with you!!

Q: What is the safe amount of Alcohol that can be

consumed during pregnancy?

A: There is no safe amount!!!A: There is no safe amount!!!

FASD Awareness Day!!FASD Awareness Day!!• The first FASDay was celebrated on

9/9/99. 

September 9thSeptember 9th

• This day was chosen so that on the

ninth day of the ninth month of every year, the world will remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. • fasday.com