Fetal alcohol syndrome chicago

When she was a toddler, Macy's nickname was "the energizer bunny," said her mom, Erica Okrzesik, because "she was always on the go. Today, Macy, whom the Okrzesiks adopted as an infant, seems like a typical, lively first-grader. But she has what her parents call an "invisible" affliction. Last year, Macy was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD, which she acquired after her birth mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, Okrzesik said.

It's really difficult. It's just an ugly disease. The Okrzesiks say there are few services available to them, despite the disability's potential to severely impair those who have it. The parents and others whose children struggle with the disorder say they hope new research published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association leads to increased awareness, more services, improved diagnostic methods and ultimately prevention.

The study shows that FASD could be up to five or 10 times more prevalent than previous studies showed, making the disorder at least as common as autism in the U. Okrzesik said she and other parents in the tight-knit FASD community think the study "could really be a turning point" for shedding light on the disorder.

In the study, researchers evaluated thousands of first-graders in four communities across the U. Given their findings of FASD among the sample of children in the study, they concluded the overall prevalence of the disorder could be as high as 5 percent using conservative estimate methods, and up to 10 percent using less conservative estimations.

Most of the children who were determined to have FASD hadn't received that diagnosis in the past, the report said. The results illustrate how often the disorder is misdiagnosed or missed altogether, said Philip May, a research professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and another author of the study, which was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

For children with less severe cases, "most of their parents never thought FASD might've been the problem. Yet others criticize the study's methods, and the authors of the study recognize limitations, specifically geographic constraints. Chambers noted the sample was not meant to represent the entire U. Etiology Congenital Congenital ptosis is usually unilateral and does not progress.

It is associated with absence or diminution of the levator palpebrae superiors muscle. Other ophthalmologic findings may include amblyopia and strabismus. Congenital orbital fibrosis is an autosomal dominantly inherited condition that produces fibrosis of the extraocular muscles that consequently limits eye movements and has associated ptosis. Addtionally, blepharophimosis another autosomal dominantly inherited condition is associated with severe bilateral ptosis.

Congenital Horner's syndrome due to birth trauma can display ptosis of the affected eye. Marcus Gunn jaw winking: abnormal innervations of the levator muscle by the mandibular branch of the trigeminal nerve causes eyelid retraction when the patient contracts the pterygoid muscle during the acts of sucking or jaw movement. Infantile myasthenia gravis, Surge Weber, von Recklinghausen syndrome, and fetal alcohol syndrome can all generate ptosis.

Mechanical Mechanical ptosis can result from excessive weight on the upper lid. Sources include infections, inflammation, and eyelid tumors. Neurologic Any disease that affects the neurologic system including the brainstem, cranial nerves, neuromuscular junction, muscle, peripheral nerves, etc. Third cranial nerve oculomotor palsy will result in ptosis, opthalmoplegia and diplopia.

Lesions anywhere on the path between the oculomotor nucleus in the midbrain and the extraocular muscles within the orbit can cause third nerve palsy.

In children, Horner's syndrome can lead to heterochromia a difference in eye color between the two eyes. Neuromuscular junction disorders such as botulism and myasthenia gravis often produce ptosis.

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which antibodies are directed against postganglionic acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction of voluntary muscles. Isolated ocular findings present initially in approximately half of the cases. Infantile myasthenia gravis occurs when antibodies are transferred to the neonate by the mother with myasthenia gravis. In an unbelievably disproportionate rate compared with the whole of the American society, Dr.

Bell says these Chicago residents with fetal alcohol syndrome have gone undiagnosed. With no intervention, and subtle brain damage , Bell says that many find it difficult to keep a job. Though many graduate, even basic math is difficult. Bell noted that screening is crucial for this community and other communities at-risk. Some results were contrary to expectations: stigma was positively associated with health literacy and endorsement of prevention priorities of FASD. Reasons for these findings are speculated and should be tested in future research.