Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Alcohol use in families can be a factor when children come into care. It is therefore recognised that statistically, care experienced people may be at higher risk of FASD.
Recognising and diagnosing FASD in children is complex. A key issue is often lack of information about an individual's likely/actual exposure to alcohol in utero.
The importance of recording information about maternal alcohol consumption in pregnancy in this context is consistently raised as fundamental to meeting the future needs of children.
The IHA offers a key opportunity to ensure this information is elicited and recorded.
Information can be obtained directly from birth parents, recognising that this needs to be addressed with sensitivity.
Other sources of information are social care, maternity and other health records. The new IHA forms, have detailed questions included, at all possible opportunities in order to source and record this information.
Resources
For more information see:
Ascertaining risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder at initial health assessments for children in care - Layla Beckett, Michelle Bond, 2023
Adoption and Fostering Journal Volume 47, Issue 4
Further resources at National FASD
Risk factors for blood borne infections
The Initial health appointment is an ideal opportunity for a medical practitioner to assess whether a child has any risk factors that would indicate a need to screen for blood borne infections such as hepatitis, and HIV.
Although some information will be available in health records, the health professional will need accurate and detailed information from social care to support this process. See risk factor table in Practice Note 76 - Guidelines for the testing of looked after children and young people at risk of blood-borne infections