With levels of alcohol consumption during pregnancy suggesting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is significantly underdiagnosed in Ireland, Dr Irwin Gill and Prof Farhana Sharif examine the diagnosis and management of the condition ahead of a national survey of paediatricians.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term for a group of conditions resulting from fetal alcohol exposure during pregnancy. FASD is characterised by variable mental, physical, neurological and behavioural deficits, and is recognised internationally as a major contributor to intellectual impairment and disability and one of the major causes of preventable developmental delay.

It makes a significant contribution to hidden disability as many affected patients have long delays in getting a diagnosis or are never diagnosed at all. Doctors involved in the care of babies and children have a unique opportunity to identify children exposed to alcohol in utero, but evidence suggests this is an opportunity frequently missed.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is included within FASD and can be diagnosed in children with a history of antenatal alcohol exposure who have antenatal or postnatal growth restriction, characteristic facial features and evidence of central nervous system impairment....