Impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder on families

Natalie Lynette Phillips; Marcel David Zimmet; Amy Phu; Meenakshi Rattan; Yvonne Zurynski; Elizabeth J Elliott

doi:10.1136/archdischild-2021-322703

Impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder on families

Arch Dis Child. 2022 Aug;107(8):755-757. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322703. Epub 2022 Mar 16.

Authors

Natalie Lynette Phillips^{1

2}, Marcel David Zimmet^{1

2}, Amy Phu^{1

2}, Meenakshi Rattan³, Yvonne Zurynski^{1

2}, Elizabeth J Elliott^{4

2}

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit, Kids Research Institute, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
³ Department of Psychological Medicine, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Medicine and Health, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia elizabeth.elliott@health.nsw.gov.au.

PMID: 35296508
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-322703

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) on child and family functioning.

Design: Prospective survey.

Setting: Multidisciplinary FASD assessment service.

Patients: Caregivers of 35 children with FASD.

Main outcome measures: Child-health-related functioning (Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children Measure of Function (MOF)), family impact (Impact on Family (IOF) Scale), impact on siblings and caregiver stress.

Results: Most caregivers were foster carers (74%). Children with FASD (median age 8.7 years; 54% male) were a median of 7.0 years at diagnosis. Regarding child-health-related functioning, 43% reported moderate, severe or major problems in at least one area on the MOF. IOF was moderate (60%) or high (34%). Poorer child-health-related functioning was associated with greater impact on family. Unaffected siblings received less parental attention and displayed anger or frustration about the affected child's needs. Caregivers reported frequent and high levels of stress.

Conclusions: FASD impacts children's health, and function of the family and unaffected siblings. These novel findings highlight the need for family-oriented service development.

Keywords: adolescent health; child health; paediatrics.

MeSH terms

Caregivers
Child
Family
Female
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders* / diagnosis
Foster Home Care
Humans
Male
Pregnancy
Prospective Studies