Italian Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities. J. Roquette, P. Lemoine and K.L. Jones were the first to describe these effects. In 1973, Jones and Smith coined the term Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to describe children with facial anomalies, poor growth, and learning difficulties. The caution against drinking during pregnancy has existed for centuries, including in The Bible (Judges 13:3-4). Maternal alcohol consumption is linked to congenital disabilities. To ensure safety, it is advised to abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) was observed in paintings from the mid-19th century when artists began depicting moments and characters from everyday life. In 2005-2006, Italy conducted a groundbreaking study on FASD, the first in Europe. The study resulted in valuable research on FASD, contributing to prevention efforts. Unfortunately, diagnosing FASD remains a challenge in Italy. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, and increasing the number of authorized centers to diagnose FASD is necessary to improve care. Educating ourselves about FASD is the key to creating a world where affected children receive the care they need. These guidelines include nine works dealing with all FASD aspects such as prevention, the effects on cognition, the epidemiology, the diagnostic criteria, the clinical aspects, the general effects on the body, the available treatments and the methods of detecting alcohol abuse in pregnant women.