Pennsylvania gets to grips with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Health officials in Pennsylvania in the U.S. are calling for more awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

The disorder occurs in children whose mothers consume alcohol during pregnancy and can include growth deficits, mental retardation, heart, lung and kidney defects, specific facial characteristics, hyperactivity and behavior problems, attention and memory problems and learning disabilities.

FASD is America's leading cause of preventable birth defects and affects one out of every 100 births in the country making it more common than spina bifida, Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy combined.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is acknowledging the extent of the problem with an awareness week at the state capitol and is working to raise awareness of the issue.

Efforts to prevent the disorder are being discussed and Joanne Grossi, Deputy Secretary for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention says the good news is that FASD is preventable.

Authorities are examining new ways to deal with FASD through prevention activities, education, increasing public awareness, collaboration with other agencies and community-based organizations, and through the coordination of services.

The Pennsylvania authorities are also considering how individuals with FASD and their families can be helped.

The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs has brought together a FASD task force that meets each quarter to develop a statewide plan focused on awareness, education, prevention and treatment of FASD in the state.

The task force includes parents of FASD patients, advocates, state agencies, physicians, health and human service providers, nurses, and government policy makers.