e-health application for Aura

"The presence of three or more of the following signs indicates a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome: a height of less than the 45th percentile, facial anomalies, a smooth philtrum, small head, lowset ears, a midface hypoplasia, loose folds of skin on the arms and legs, and a heart defect. Other signs of fetal alcohol syndrome include fetal lethality and mental and physical handicaps in newborn infants. Alcohol consumption is associated with a lower IQ, speech impediments, delayed motor development, and diminished cognitive and emotional intelligence, making it imperative to educate people on the harmful effects of alcohol on the developing fetus." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"Results from a recent clinical trial of the present study do not support previous findings of spontaneous amelioration of FAS with ongoing prenatal alcohol exposure. Continued research in this area is necessary." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"FAS is a condition in which alcohol is passed from the mother to the fetus, leading to birth defects. Symptoms are non-specific and can vary greatly, including neurodevelopmental anomalies. In most cases, the first symptoms are subtle and are not seen until the child is 2 to 3 years of age, long after the mother is diagnosed with alcohol dependence. There are many known causes of FAS but a known risk factor for this condition is a family member with alcohol dependence. The FAS guideline is available online." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"We have not proved any compelling evidence that prenatal alcohol exposure causes fetal alcohol syndrome, but studies on prenatal alcohol exposure were of fair quality. We cannot prove that these associations are causal and there is uncertainty if a causal relationship between alcohol intake and fetal alcohol syndrome exists. In addition, some investigators have concluded that most evidence that shows a causal link between alcohol use and fetal alcohol syndrome is of low methodological quality. A causal theory of fetal alcohol syndrome cannot be proven by good evidence of causation. Evidence of a direct link between maternal alcohol use and fetal alcohol syndrome cannot be proven either." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"About 10,000 babies are born to alcoholic women each year in the United States. Those infants tend to be born prematurely, have multiple birth abnormalities, and have other malformations, compared to births to women who are not alcohol abusers. To reduce risk of harm to the fetus, many expectant alcoholic women are counseled to abstain from drinking alcohol, and many alcohol abusers are counseled not to drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy. Those infants tend to be less likely to die before birth and are more likely to survive to reach adolescence than children who were born to alcohol abusers." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The treatment goals of AAS vary greatly in their scope: eliminating and preventing alcohol-facilitated behavior, eliminating or reducing adverse physical consequences, or reducing a lifetime risk of liver disease. These goals may also include improving brain growth and brain development. A significant number of patients with FAS are on the autism spectrum. This may reflect the early onset of autism spectrum disorders because of FAS. The majority of children, who have milder behavioral disturbances, require behavioral therapy. Children with a high likelihood of a poor outcome (severe physical, mental, and intellectual disability) may have high-dose neuroleptic malignant syndrome prophylaxis. The treatment of severe FAS should be individualized depending on the patient's history." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The treatment depends on the health problem and the health care providers in the hospital. While most studies of e-health use are to improve patient safety, most studies on e-health use are to improve the medical outcome and the health care. In some cases, e-health applications can improve the health care through enhancing patient safety. However, it is important to understand that e-health is the use of computers, phones, mobile phones, or Internet-connected telemedicine systems to assist in patient care processes and/or to control and monitor patient and health system activities." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"A new drug has been discovered that improves memory in those with fetal alcohol syndrome. This breakthrough is a significant advancement for treatment of those with this disease.\n" - Anonymous Online Contributor

"We conclude that our study demonstrates the e-health platform as an effective tool of delivering health messages during a period of crisis in a remote environment. Further investigation of the use of e-health and the use of telehealth in other health settings are needed." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"As many as one third of children with FAS have one or two family members with FAS. Thus, the risk for FAS appears to be familial, although a modifier gene may be involved. Recent findings provide a basis for further research into the genetics of the disease, and in particular the role of alcohol exposure in the genetic susceptibility to this complex disorder." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The use of e-health technology for treating patients with rare diseases can be a valuable adjunct to improving the prognosis and efficiency of patient care by increasing the effectiveness of health care, thereby reducing time and cost." - Anonymous Online Contributor

"The e-health interventions were both found to be effective in improving HRQOL of individuals with FAS, with greater improvement found for those with higher FAS scores. In view of the positive findings, with regard to FAS, a wider e-health study is warranted, using the current methodology and measurement tools, including randomized, controlled trial design." - Anonymous Online Contributor