Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a preventable cause of mental retardation and is the severest
category within Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). As gestational alcohol exposure
affects fetal cognitive functioning, children with FAS present with intellectual deficits.
Unfortunately FASD prevalence rates are increasing amongst infants and school-going
children. The main goal of this study was to compare the neurodevelopmental subscales of
infants diagnosed with FAS, Partial FAS and non- FAS. Seventy-four infants with confirmed
FAS, Partial FAS or Non- FAS diagnoses were assessed using the Griffiths Mental
Developmental Scale.
Development assessed at 7-12 and 17-29 months of age showed that, regardless of a FAS,
PFAS or Non-FAS diagnosis, all infants performed weaker at their assessment at 17-29
months. The Subscales significantly affected included Personal-Social, Eye- Hand
Coordination and Performance. The infants with FAS and PFAS displayed the most marked
developmental delays.
From this study it can be concluded that there are definite neurodevelopmental profiles for
infant's diagnosed with FAS, PFAS and/or Non-FAS, highlighting the significant impact of
prenatal alcohol exposure on various aspects of infant development. / Social work / M.Diac.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/2158 |
| Date | 30 November 2006 |
| Creators | Fourie, Leigh-Anne |
| Contributors | Dunn, M. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiv, 111 leaves) |
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