Correspondence
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Their Persisting Sequelae in Adult Life: Monocausal Discussion
Dtsch Arztebl Int 2009; 106(1-2): 10 ; DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0010b
The article mentions the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders as the most common cause of learning deficiencies and points out the associated long term sequelae. In my opinion, the problems are discussed in too monocausal a fashion, and the multiple differential diagnoses of mental-cognitive developmental disorders are not elucidated sufficiently. These include primary brain system disruptions, sequelae of extremely premature birth, and psychosocial influences. Unilateral explanations can lead to unjustified blaming and false stigmatisation. To diagnose and care for these children, for the past 20 years Germany has had 130 socialpediatric centers nationwide, about 200 000 children and adolescents with developmental abnormalities and impairments of all kinds are being treated in these centres every year. Interdisciplinary multi-purpose diagnostic tests that consider the etiology, initiation of treatment, and long term care are being given in these centers by pediatricians in collaboration with complementary therapists, psychologists, and social consultants. DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0010bProf. Dr. med. Hans Christian Straßburg
Universitäts-Kinderklinik
Josef Schneiderstr. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
strassburg@mail.uni-würzburg.de
1.
Bode H: Sozialpädiatrische Zentren: Bei Entwicklungsstörungen im Kindesalter bewährt. Dtsch Arztebl 2007; 104(19): 1219. VOLLTEXT
2.
Straßburg, HM, Dacheneder VV, Kreß W: Entwicklungsstörungen bei Kindern – Praxisleitfaden für die interdisziplinäre Betreuung. München: Elsevier-Verlag 2008.
