Burden of fetal alcohol syndrome in a rural West Coast area of South Africa

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dc.contributor.authorOlivier, L.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorUrban, M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorChersich, M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorTemmerman, M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorViljoen, D.en_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2014-07-07T12:18:25Z
dc.date.available2014-07-07T12:18:25Z
dc.date.issued2013-03-18
dc.descriptionCITATION: Olivier, L. et al. 2013. Burden of fetal alcohol syndrome in a rural West Coast area of South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 103(6):402-405, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.6249.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
dc.description.abstractBackground. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is common in parts of South Africa; rural residence is a frequently cited risk factor. We conducted a FAS school prevalence survey of an isolated rural community in a West Coast village of Western Cape Province, so obtaining the first directly measured rate, focusing specifically on a South African rural area, of FAS and partial FAS (PFAS). Methods. The study area (Aurora village), a community of about 2 500 people in a grain-producing region, has one primary school. All learners were eligible for study inclusion. Initial anthropometry screening was followed by a diagnostic stage entailing examination by a dysmorphologist for features of FAS, neurodevelopmental assessment, and an interview assessing maternal alcohol consumption. Results. Of 160 learners screened, 78 (49%) were screen-positive, of whom 63 (81%) were clinically assessed for FAS. The overall FAS/PFAS rate among the screened learners was 17.5% (95% confidence interval 12.0 - 24.2%), with 16 (10.0%) children having FAS and 12 (7.5%) PFAS. High rates of stunting, underweight and microcephaly were noted in all learners, especially those with FAS or PFAS. Five (18%) mothers of affected children were deceased by the time of assessment. Conclusion. We describe very high rates of FAS/PFAS in an isolated rural part of the Western Cape that is not located in a viticultural region. Our study suggests that the prevalence of FAS may be very high in isolated communities, or in particular hot-spots. It adds to the growing evidence that FAS/PFAS is a significant, and underestimated, health problem in South Africa. Expanded screening and surveillance programmes, and preventive interventions, are urgently needed.
dc.description.urihttp://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj/article/view/6249
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent4 pages
dc.identifier.citationOlivier, L. et al. 2013. Burden of fetal alcohol syndrome in a rural West Coast area of South Africa. South African Medical Journal, 103(6):402-405, doi:10.7196/SAMJ.6249.
dc.identifier.issn2078-5135 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0256-9574 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.7196/SAMJ.6249
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/93347
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherHealth & Medical Publishing Group
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyright
dc.subjectFetal alcohol syndrome -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectPregnant women -- Alcohol use -- South Africa -- Western Capeen_ZA
dc.subjectPregnancyen_ZA
dc.titleBurden of fetal alcohol syndrome in a rural West Coast area of South Africaen_ZA
dc.typeArticle
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