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t
r a c k i n g f e t a l a l c o h
o l s y n d r o m e
The reported
prevalence rates of FAS vary widely depending on the population
studied and the surveillance methods used. CDC studies show
FAS prevalence rates ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 per 1,000 live
births in different areas of the United States. Other prenatal
alcohol-related conditions, such as alcohol-related neurodevelopmental
disorder (ARND) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD),
are believed to occur approximately three times as often as
FAS.
Population-based surveillance of FAS is important to document
the magnitude of the problem and to monitor trends in the
occurrence of this preventable birth defect. In 1997, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established
or enhanced statewide, population-based surveillance of fetal
alcohol syndrome (FAS).
Purposes of FAS Surveillance Network
The specific purposes of the population-based Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet) initiative and the
cooperative agreements are to
Enhance
an existing system or develop and implement a new system
that uses a multiple-source surveillance methodology to
enable researchers to determine the prevalence of FAS within
a geographically defined area (statewide, multiple states,
or regions within a state);
Improve
the capacity to ascertain true cases of FAS and generate
population-based surveillance data;
Establish
relations with facilities or programs where FAS is likely
to be diagnosed or children with FAS receive services, such
as high-risk newborn registries, special diagnostic units,
special education programs, special needs registries, and
other programs or settings for children with developmental
disabilities;
Evaluate
the completeness of the surveillance system methodology,
the system's ability to generate a prevalence rate for FAS,
and the potential for monitoring trends; and
Implement health-care provider training and education on
FAS to improve case ascertainment, referral and case-management
practices, and prevention activities.
FASSNet
Sites
FASSNet projects are in five states. To learn more about its
program, click on the following link:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/fassurv.htm
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