NEW ORLEANS – The LSU Health New Orleans Human Development Center is joining the cause to celebrate September as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness month and to increase awareness and support for people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual who was exposed to alcohol before birth.
Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as well as a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities. FASDs can impact physical, mental, behavioral, or cognitive development as well as cause growth deficiencies, central nervous system disabilities, and, in only about 10% of people diagnosed, specific facial characteristics. Studies show that up to 1 in 20 U.S. school children may be on the FASD spectrum, a rate more than double that of autism.
Unfortunately, FASD is under recognized, with support and services not widely available, and far too few diagnostic and treatment services currently available. In addition to public health messaging on the importance of avoiding alcohol while pregnant, it is crucial to bring recognition and awareness of children and adults living with FASDs and their need for services and support.
Individuals living with FASDs benefit from structure, support, understanding and most importantly, early diagnosis, early intervention and FASD informed medical and mental health care. Recognizing the strengths, talents and gifts that individuals diagnosed with FASD bring to our communities is a great way to celebrate FASD Awareness Month.
Human service organizations, health care professionals, educators, and the public are called to action to work together to support the FASD community by increasing awareness, becoming educated, and supporting broader efforts to bring FASD informed services, interventions and support to those living with this disability.
For more information on FASD or alcohol use during pregnancy, visit www.fasdunited.org or www.cdc.gov/fasd. For more information or support for your FASD Awareness Month Activities, go to www.fasdunited.org/fasdmonth
About LSU Health New Orleans
LSU Health New Orleans educates Louisiana’s health care professionals. The state’s health sciences university leader, LSU Health New Orleans, includes a School of Medicine with campuses in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the state’s only School of Dentistry, Louisiana’s only public School of Public Health and Schools of Allied Health Professions, Nursing, and Graduate Studies. LSU Health New Orleans faculty takes care of patients in public and private hospitals and clinics throughout the region. In the vanguard of biosciences research, the LSU Health New Orleans research enterprise generates jobs and enormous annual economic impact. LSU Health New Orleans faculty have made lifesaving discoveries and continue to work to prevent, advance treatment or cure disease.