NICE publishes comprehensive quality standard designed to improve the diagnosis and assessment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
NICE’s latest quality standard published today (16 March 2022) helps improve the diagnosis, assessment, and prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
The quality standard for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder highlights five key areas for improvement:
Pregnant women are given advice throughout pregnancy not to drink alcohol.
Pregnant women are asked about their alcohol use throughout their pregnancy, and this is recorded.
Children and young people with probable prenatal alcohol exposure and significant physical, developmental, or behavioural difficulties are referred for assessment.
Children and young people with confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure or all 3 facial features associated with prenatal alcohol exposure have a neurodevelopmental assessment if there are clinical concerns.
Children and young people with a diagnosis of FASD have a management plan to address their needs.
These statements are designed to help local service providers identify areas for improvement.
Following consultation, a draft statement that recommended that a mother’s alcohol consumption should be included on the child’s medical records has been changed.