Birth Defects in Ukraine, Ukrainian Alliance, Birth Defects Program

"Prenatal Ultrasound Markers of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" Pilot Project in Rivne and Kherson Oblasts

In many countries, according to the scientific research data, about 3-10% of pregnant women every day consume amounts of alcohol which are sufficient to harm their fetuses. Our data confirm the severe impact of the problems of morbidity, invalidity and mortality of children related to the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Ukraine.

A child negatively impacted by prenatal exposure to alcohol may have many and complex deficiencies.

Research data confirm the necessity to decrease alcohol usage by women. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is 100% preventable by avoiding alcohol usage before and during pregnancy.

Ukrainian-American Birth Defects Program developed 5 OMNI-Centers, two of which now conduct a pilot project under the guidance of Prof. Kenneth Lyons Jones (California University, San Diego, USA) "Prenatal Ultrasound Markers of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome" in Rivne and Kherson oblasts. Drs. Christina Chambers and Andrew Hall take part in the project as experts in Epidemiology and Prenatal Ultrasonography.

Preparatory work and trainings for specialists who can diagnose FAS was performed during the year 2003. There were lectures and seminars for neonatologists, gynecologists, prenatal ultrasound specialists, geneticists under the direction of Prof. K. Jones, Drs. Ch. Chambers and A. Hall.

On April 1, 2005 in Kherson and on April 4, 2005 in Rivne the cooperation agreements concerning the project realization were signed by Oblast State Administrations Health Care Departments, California University (San Diego, USA), Alliance for the Prevention of Birth Defects and the Ukrainian-American Birth Defects Program. The agreements were signed by Heads of Health Care Departments of Rivne and Kherson oblasts, Prof. K. Jones, Alliance President Prof. Ihor Barylyak. This project is a part of research, which is performed in Russia, USA, Finland, and Republic of South Africa.

After that Prof. K. Jones held practical workshops for neonatologists. During his visit to Kherson and Rivne Prof. K. Jones had working meetings with specialists of Medical Genetic Consultations and Informational Resource OMNI-Centers. There were discussed questions concerning research performance, the aim of which is comparison of physical and brain development of children during intrauterine growth in women, who drink alcohol in big amounts during their pregnancies and in women, who drink alcohol in small amounts or do not drink it at all.

All the requirements concerning confidentiality of personified data will be met on the each project stage.

According to the project the potential benefits of this research for mothers, their children and society will dominate over the possible risks.

Particularly,

Each woman will get vitamin pills for prophylactic course.
Each woman will be provided with better medical care during her pregnancy.
For FAS risk group children consultations of geneticists in the neonatal period and at the age of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, early intervention services and pediatricians' follow-up will be provided.
Educational activities aiming at FAS and other birth defects prevention will be carried out.

The project involves participation of gynecologists and neonatologists from the city of Rivne, Berezne, Dubno, Dubrovytsya, Zdolbuniv, Sarny rayons of Rivne Oblast, city of Kherson, Tsyurupinsk, Skadovsk, Nova Kakhovka, Hola Prystan rayons of Kherson Oblast. The active part in the project is played by geneticists and ultrasound diagnosis specialists of the Rivne Medical Genetic Center, neonatologists of the Rivne Oblast Children's Hospital Newborn Pathology Department, geneticists and ultrasound diagnosis specialists of the Kherson Medical Genetic Consultation, geneticists and neonatologists of the Kherson Regional Children's Hospital Newborn Department.

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