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Published on: July 13, 2014
Visual and ocular findings in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD): validating the FASD Eye Code in
Lucyn Ayoub1, Eva Aring2,3, Emelie Gyllencreutz2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Insights
The FASD Eye Code effectively aids in diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) by identifying ophthalmological abnormalities. This tool demonstrates high specificity in distinguishing between children with FASD and healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a range of conditions resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure.
- Diagnosing FASD is complex and often requires a multidisciplinary approach.
- Ophthalmological assessment can provide valuable insights into FASD diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the FASD Eye Code, a novel ophthalmological diagnostic tool.
- To assess the efficacy of the FASD Eye Code in a clinical setting with children diagnosed with FASD.
- To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the FASD Eye Code.
Main Methods:
- A clinical study involving 21 children with suspected FASD and 21 age- and sex-matched controls.
- Detailed ophthalmological examinations were conducted, including visual perception problems (VPPs) assessment.
- The FASD Eye Code protocol was used to calculate total scores (range 4-16).
Main Results:
- A total score of ≥9 yielded 38% sensitivity and 100% specificity (AUC 0.90).
- A cut-off score of ≥8 demonstrated 52% sensitivity and 95% specificity.
- No significant difference in VPPs was observed between the FASD and control groups.
Conclusions:
- The FASD Eye Code serves as a valuable complementary tool for FASD diagnosis.
- It assists in identifying ophthalmological abnormalities in individuals with suspected FASD.
- The tool shows promise in corroborating complex FASD diagnoses.
Objective:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term covering a spectrum of medical conditions caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. The FASD Eye Code is a new complementary ophthalmological diagnostic tool created to corroborate the complex FASD diagnosis. The aim of this work was to validate the FASD Eye Code by testing it on a second group of children diagnosed with FASD in a clinical setting.
Methods And Analysis:
A clinical study was carried out in a group of 21 children (13 males, 8 females, mean age 13.3 years) investigated for suspected FASD and a healthy sex-matched and age-matched control group (n=21). The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmological examination including visual perception problems (VPPs) assessment. Clinical examination results were compiled, and total scores were calculated according to the FASD Eye Code protocol (range 4-16).
Results:
The median total score in the FASD group was 8. Eight individuals in the FASD group and none of the controls obtained a total score of ≥9 corresponding to 38% sensitivity and 100% specificity with an area under the curve of 0.90. A cut-off total score of ≥8 showed 52% sensitivity and 95% specificity. One individual in the FASD group versus 12 controls had a total score of 4, representing normal findings. No significant difference between the two groups regarding VPPs was seen.
Conclusion:
The FASD Eye Code can be used as a complementary diagnostic tool for FASD to assist in diagnosis and to detect ophthalmological abnormalities in individuals with suspected FASD.
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