Hospital specialists are involved in analyzing international experience and methodologies, strengthening multidisciplinary specialist collaboration, and developing solutions that could be applied in the Lithuanian healthcare system, according to a press release from KUL.
It is important to recognize as early as possible
Strengthening competencies in this field is especially important because FASD can remain unrecognized for many years. A child has difficulty concentrating, forgets just-heard information, reacts impulsively, experiences emotional outbursts, and seems to repeatedly make the same mistakes. Such behavior is often interpreted as disobedience, a disciplinary problem, or lack of motivation. However, in some cases, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders may underlie these difficulties.
The ability to recognize what lies behind a child’s behavioral and developmental difficulties is one of the most important conditions for ensuring that help reaches the child and their family as early as possible.
Signs are not always obvious
FASD – fetal alcohol spectrum disorders – can occur due to alcohol exposure to the fetus during pregnancy. It can affect the development of the central nervous system and influence a person’s attention, memory, learning, emotional regulation, impulsivity, as well as the ability to plan and understand the consequences of their actions.
“It is important to view FASD as a spectrum of disorders – its signs can be very different and not always obvious. One person may have more pronounced learning or memory difficulties, another – problems with attention, emotional regulation, impulsivity, or behavior. Because of this, FASD can go unrecognized or its signs may be attributed to other conditions. A person may know how they should behave, but due to impaired executive functions, it may be difficult for them to apply this knowledge in practice,” says KUL obstetrician-gynecologist Prof. Dr. Linas Rovas.
International experience – creating solutions for Lithuania
Difficulties with concentration, learning, self-regulation, and social adaptation can be associated with other developmental disorders, so recognizing FASD requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment and collaboration among specialists from different fields.
KUL, together with partners from Germany and Poland, is implementing the international project “FASD-Bridge,” which provides an opportunity to pool competencies of specialists from different fields, share country experiences, and coordinate methodological solutions to better recognize FASD. One of the main goals is to strengthen specialists’ abilities and form a more consistent approach to FASD diagnosis and support for the child and their family.
KUL’s participation in the project is also important as an opportunity to transfer international expert experience into Lithuanian healthcare practice and contribute to strengthening competencies in this field in the country.
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“FASD diagnosis is complex and requires collaboration among specialists from different fields. In Lithuania, diagnostic practice in this area is still being developed, so international cooperation is an opportunity for us not only to adopt good practices from other countries but also to jointly seek and create solutions tailored to our country’s healthcare system. Our goal is to strengthen specialists’ abilities to recognize FASD, apply unified methodological principles, and ensure that help is provided to the child and their family as early as possible,” says KUL Women’s and Children’s Clinic acting head, obstetrician-gynecologist Augusta Petrušaitė.
There is no safe alcohol dose during pregnancy
Medical professionals emphasize a key FASD prevention message – there is no known safe dose of alcohol or safe period during pregnancy when alcohol consumption would not pose a risk to the developing fetus.
“The brain develops throughout the entire pregnancy, so there is no safe time for alcohol. Prevention starts with a clear message – when planning pregnancy and during pregnancy, the safest choice is to abstain from alcohol,” emphasizes L. Rovas.
It does not matter whether wine, beer, cider, or strong alcoholic beverages are consumed – all contain ethanol. Alcohol can pass through the placenta to the fetus and affect its development. Therefore, the most important FASD prevention measure is complete abstinence from alcohol when planning pregnancy and during pregnancy.
September 9 – FASD Awareness Day
The international fetal alcohol spectrum disorders awareness day is observed on September 9 – the ninth day of the ninth month. This date symbolically reminds of the nine months of pregnancy and draws attention to the importance of FASD prevention, early recognition, and appropriate support.
Red sneakers have become an international symbol of FASD awareness, inviting more discussion about these disorders, better understanding of those affected, and reducing the stigma that still exists in society.
On this day, KUL invites the public to join the red sneakers social wave.
More information about the initiative can be found here.
