Prevention and Intervention for FASD in Poland

The aims of this study are to analyze previous activities undertaken in Poland in the field of prevention and intervention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and to identify the main directions of development of this issue for the future. The conducted review of studies, positions, and actions shows their development since the mid-1990s. It was then that translations of English publications on the consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy for the proper development of a child, as well as studies evaluating the prevalence of alcohol consumption by pregnant women, began to appear in Polish. The next step was a countrywide educational campaign which resulted in increased public awareness of the problem, the involvement of local communities in prevention, and the establishment of the first centers designed to help children with FASD. Currently, deficiencies concerning the issue of FASD include limited scope of original Polish scientific research on neurodevelopmental disorders connected with prenatal exposure to alcohol, lack of systemic solutions in the field of diagnosis and therapy, as well as poor cooperation between the various centers, scattered countrywide, and conducting various activities. Positive trends include increased engagement in FASD issues by various professional groups including representatives of the medical community and the development of specialized training courses on diagnosing FASD, as well as cooperation with the families of affected individuals.