Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
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Hundreds of Yukon children have been affected by prenatal alcohol exposure. The cost, both in lost potential, and financial, is extremely high. FASD has been a priority of this government for many years. It is a member of the Canada Northwest FASD partnership and the Canada North West FASD Research Network.
The Yukon does much to support those with FASD, and their families and caregivers.
A diagnostic team operating through the Child Development Centre is supported by Health and Social Services. This diagnostic program was established in the fall of 2004 and is expected to expand into school age children within the next 24 months. Diagnostic team members include therapists, physicians and psychologists.
Meconium testing
The Yukon is also supporting a one year project being conducted by the Yukon Medical Association and Whitehorse General Hospital. This anonymous screening program to determine the number of Yukon infants exposed to maternal alcohol exposure during pregnancy will test the meconium of all Yukon newborns for a 12-month period. Meconium testing is 100 per cent anonymous. Samples are randomly coded, making it impossible to link the results to an individual mother and baby. This test will provide important information on the number of infants who may be at risk for FASD in the Yukon. The meconium screen program begins in January 2005.