Senecky Yehuda, Inbar Dov, Diamond Gary, Basel-Vanagaite Lina, Rigler Shmuel, Chodick Gabriel
Child Development and Rehabilitation Institute, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Isr Med Assoc J. 2009 Oct;11(10):619-22.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is a range of disabilities caused by gestational exposure to alcohol. FASD is the leading cause of preventable mental retardation and developmental disability in the United States, with an incidence of 1-10 per 1000 live births. FASD in Israel has yet to be examined systematically.
To evaluate professionals' experience, awareness and knowledge of FASD in Israel and their awareness of maternal consumption of alcohol, and to collect epidemiological data on the syndrome in Israel.
A short questionnaire was sent to all 43 program directors of genetic institutes (n = 14) and child developmental centers in Israel (n = 29). Four questions related to their experience and knowledge of FASD. The epidemiological survey included data from all 17 hospitals in Israel and from the two main health management organizations within the public health care system.
The response rate was 98% (n = 42). A total of 38.1% of respondents reported having diagnosed at least one case of FASD and fewer than 10% of respondents stated that the knowledge regarding FASD among physicians in Israel was adequate. Developmental pediatricians were more likely to have diagnosed at least one case as compared to geneticists. During the period 1998-2007 the diagnosis of FASD appeared in the records of only 4 patients from the total number of 17 hospitals in Israel. During the same period only six patients were diagnosed at the HMO within the public health care system.
Despite the accumulated knowledge on FASD in many countries and the increase in alcohol consumption in Israel, professionals' awareness of its potential damage is limited. Educational programs to increase physician awareness should accompany publicity campaigns warning the public of the dangers associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
胎儿酒精谱系障碍是孕期接触酒精所致的一系列残疾。胎儿酒精谱系障碍是美国可预防的智力迟钝和发育残疾的主要原因，活产发病率为每1000例中有1 - 10例。以色列的胎儿酒精谱系障碍尚未得到系统研究。
评估以色列专业人员对胎儿酒精谱系障碍的经验、认识和知识，以及他们对孕妇饮酒的认识，并收集以色列该综合征的流行病学数据。
向以色列所有43个基因研究所（n = 14）和儿童发育中心（n = 29）的项目主任发送了一份简短问卷。其中四个问题涉及他们对胎儿酒精谱系障碍的经验和知识。流行病学调查包括来自以色列所有17家医院以及公共卫生保健系统内两个主要健康管理组织的数据。
回复率为98%（n = 42）。共有38.1%的受访者报告至少诊断过一例胎儿酒精谱系障碍，不到10%的受访者表示以色列医生对胎儿酒精谱系障碍的了解足够。与遗传学家相比，发育儿科医生更有可能至少诊断过一例。在1998 - 2007年期间，以色列17家医院的记录中仅出现4例胎儿酒精谱系障碍诊断病例。同一时期，公共卫生保健系统内的健康维护组织仅诊断出6例患者。
尽管许多国家对胎儿酒精谱系障碍已有一定认识，且以色列饮酒量有所增加，但专业人员对其潜在危害的认识仍然有限。在开展宣传活动警告公众孕期饮酒危害的同时，应开展教育项目提高医生的认识。
