Highlights
- •The German professionals and parents in this survey are aware of the potential harm of intrauterine alcohol exposure.
- •However, the responding professionals underestimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
- •The German guideline for FASD is used by ¾ of the interviewed paediatricians and child psychiatrists for diagnosis.
- •Nevertheless many professionals have difficulties to distinguish the different spectrum disorders of FASD.
- •The participating professionals underestimate the impact on everyday life and the prognosis of children with FASD.
Abstract
Objective
The objective of our study was to evaluate the knowledge about fetal alcohol spectrum
disorders (FASD) and the implementation of the German guideline for FASD among different
professionals in the health and social system and among parents with children with
FASD.
Methods
A questionnaire about FASD, containing 20 items, was sent by post to all children's
hospitals (n = 287), all hospitals for child and adolescent psychiatry (n = 173),
all social paediatric centres (n = 162), all neuropaediatricians (n = 129) and all
youth welfare offices (n = 672) in Germany. Furthermore a link to the questionnaire
as online version was put in the member's newsletter by 14 relevant professional societies.
Besides, the questionnaire was distributed personally to the attendees of the annual
national FASD conference (n = 363).
Results
Altogether 428 persons took part in the survey. 273 participants were professionals
and 155 parents of children with FASD. More than 95% of the professionals and parents
knew that alcohol consumption during pregnancy constitutes a risk for the child. The
prevalence of maternal alcohol consumption and of FASD was underestimated. Although
approx. 70% of the professionals knew which disorders belong to FASD just a few could
tell their specific deficits. Questions regarding effective intervention for children
with FASD and the long-term outcome were only partially answered correctly.
Discussion
Professionals in the German health and social system are aware of FASD but underestimate
the level of damage and the impact on every day functioning of the affected people.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 01, 2018
Accepted:
February 25,
2018
Received in revised form:
January 5,
2018
Received:
July 26,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 European Paediatric Neurology Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
