Care for children with fetal alcohol syndrome in Canada costs millions of dollars per year, and researchers call for more resources for fighting the disease. "The cost ... is staggering, but it really does not tell the true story of misery, poor quality of life and life-long suffering for the children and their families who are not in dollars," said Dr. Gideon Koren, the supervision of a recent study on fetal alcohol syndrome.
The study, from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael's Hospital, estimates the disease costs Canada more than $ 344 million per year. Nineteen per cent comes directly from the family of pocket.
"It is hoped that these fundamental paper will lead to much-needed funds," said Dr. Brenda Stade, the study lead author and program director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic of St. Michael's Hospital.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused when women drink during pregnancy. It is the most common cause of life-long development and cognitive disabilities among Canadian children, up to one in 100 births, Stade said.
The study found, families pay an average of about $ 14,000 per year to meet the needs of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Special education and medical costs accounted for approximately one third of out-of-pocket costs for each family.
The greatest stress occurs when children six o'clock-15 o'clock, as the cost increase for specialized training and the deployment of psychologists, psychiatrists and occupational therapists.
Fetal alcohol syndrome leads to a series of physical and mental health problems, from learning to behavioral problems. Affected children may also include a wide range of socially inappropriate behavior, including lie, theft, and the inability to be distinguished from wrong.
There are an estimated 400,000 Canadians with fetal alcohol syndrome.
The study appears in this week's edition of the Journal of FAS International.
The study, from Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael's Hospital, estimates the disease costs Canada more than $ 344 million per year. Nineteen per cent comes directly from the family of pocket.
"It is hoped that these fundamental paper will lead to much-needed funds," said Dr. Brenda Stade, the study lead author and program director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Clinic of St. Michael's Hospital.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is caused when women drink during pregnancy. It is the most common cause of life-long development and cognitive disabilities among Canadian children, up to one in 100 births, Stade said.
The study found, families pay an average of about $ 14,000 per year to meet the needs of a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Special education and medical costs accounted for approximately one third of out-of-pocket costs for each family.
The greatest stress occurs when children six o'clock-15 o'clock, as the cost increase for specialized training and the deployment of psychologists, psychiatrists and occupational therapists.
Fetal alcohol syndrome leads to a series of physical and mental health problems, from learning to behavioral problems. Affected children may also include a wide range of socially inappropriate behavior, including lie, theft, and the inability to be distinguished from wrong.
There are an estimated 400,000 Canadians with fetal alcohol syndrome.
The study appears in this week's edition of the Journal of FAS International.
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