Diagnosing FASD

FASD is an overarching diagnostic term with two diagnostic categories

• FASD with three sentinel facial features (similar to the previous diagnostic category of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome)
• FASD with less than three sentinel facial features (which encompasses the previous diagnostic categories of Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Alcohol Exposed)

The Australian Guide to the diagnosis of FASD includes information on the following:

• Diagnostic categories and criteria
• Assessing maternal alcohol use
• Assessing neurodevelopmental impairments
• Assessing sentinel facial features
• Growth assessment
• Formualting a diagnosis
• Discussing the diagnosis and developing a management plan
• Reporting a FASD diagnosis

On-line training modules are available to to support clinicians to make a FASD diagnosis using the national standardised diagnostic criteria and instrument.

We acknowledge the funding and support from the Australian Government Department of Health for the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.

Reporting a FASD diagnosis

Western Australia

In Western Australia all diagnoses of FASD should be reported to the WA Register of Developmental Anomalies.

Currently mandatory notification is up to the age of 6 years. It has been proposed that the mandatory notification age for FASD be extended to 15 years as the majority of children and young people are not diagnosed before the age of 6 years.

It is anticipated that the change in reporting age will take effect in the next few months.

National

The Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit (APSU) monitors rare childhood conditions that include congenital/genetic disorders, infectious/vaccine preventable conditions, mental health and other injuries. FASD is one of the studies on the APSU Report Card.

Many Australian Paediatricians are currently reporting cases of FASD to the APSU.
Any clinician who wants to be included in the surveillance program can contact the APSU for information on the reporting process.

APSU Contact: 02 9845 3005 or email 
Online Case Report Form: FASD 
Printable Case Report Form: FASD