Surveillance of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Utilizing the Infrastructure of Existing Surveillance Programs

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The purpose of this program is to: (1) determine the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) within a geographically-defined area (statewide, multiple states, or regions of a state) that may include high risk population subgroups, using the common, multiple source surveillance methodology developed by the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet); (2) improve the capacity of an existing surveillance system (e.g., birth defects, developmental disabilities) to ascertain infants and children with FAS and generate population-based surveillance data; (3) establish or expand relationships with facilities or programs where children with FAS are likely to be diagnosed or receive services, such as genetics and other specialty clinics, early intervention programs, special education programs, special needs registries, and other programs or settings for children with developmental disabilities; (4) evaluate the surveillance system methodology in terms of completeness of case ascertainment, data quality, ability to generate a prevalence estimate for FAS, and the potential for monitoring trends; and (5) implement provider training and education on FAS to improve case ascertainment. This program addresses the “Healthy People 2010” focus area of Maternal, Infant, and Child Health.

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