However, the Ten Brain Domains are easily incorporated into any of the four diagnostic systems CNS damage criteria, as the framework only proposes the domains, rather than the cut-off criteria for FASD. Differential diagnosis
The CDC reviewed nine syndromes that have overlapping features with FAS; however, none of these syndromes include all three FAS facial features, and none are the result of prenatal alcohol exposure:
Aarskog syndrome
Williams syndrome
Noonan syndrome
Dubowitz syndrome
Brachman-DeLange syndrome
Toluene syndrome
Fetal hydantoin syndrome
Fetal valproate syndrome
Maternal PKU fetal effectsOther disorders that have overlapping behavioral symptoms and/or that might be comorbid to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder might include:
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
Reactive attachment disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder
Sensory integration dysfunction
Bipolar disorder
DepressionMost people with an FASD have most often been misdiagnosed with ADHD due to the large overlap between their behavioral deficits. Prevention
The only certain way to prevent FAS is to avoid drinking alcohol during pregnancy. In the United States, the Surgeon General recommended in 1981, and again in 2005, that women abstain from alcohol use while pregnant or while planning a pregnancy, the latter to avoid damage even in the earliest stages (even weeks) of a pregnancy, as the woman may not be aware that she has conceived. The Centers for Disease Control and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also recommend no alcohol during pregnancy.
In the United States, federal legislation has required that warning labels be placed on all alcoholic beverage containers since 1988 under the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act.There is some controversy surrounding the "zero-tolerance" approach taken by many countries when it comes to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The assertion that moderate drinking causes FAS is said to lack strong evidence and, in fact, the practice of equating a responsible level of drinking with potential harm to the fetus may have negative social, legal, and health impacts. In addition, special care should be taken when considering statistics on this disease, as prevalence and causation is often linked with FASD, which is more common and causes less harm, as opposed to FAS. Treatment
There is no current cure for FASD, but treatment is possible. Early intervention from birth to age 3 has been shown to improve the development of a child born with FASD. Because CNS damage, symptoms, secondary disabilities, and needs vary widely by individual, there is no one treatment type that works for everyone.Between 2017 and 2019 researchers made a breakthrough when they discovered a possible cure using Neural Stem Cells(NSCs) they propose that if applied to a newborn, the damage can be reversed and prevent any lasting effects in the future. Medication
Psychoactive drugs are frequently tried on those with FASD as many FASD symptoms are mistaken for or overlap with other disorders, most notably ADHD. Behavioral interventions
Behavioral interventions are based on the learning theory, which is the basis for many parenting and professional strategies and interventions.