UKRAINIAN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES NEED HELP!

ONGOING WAR IN UKRAINE
Our priorities must respond to the threat posed by Russia to Ukrainian children in particular those
with developmental disabilities. Please follow our postings and appeals for assistance.

Facies

FASD

Please click to enlarge.

Note what signs you see.

I (W. Wertelecki, M.D.) see a face that is a facies because it “speaks” to me. Such reaction implies that I think I see a message (signal). Interpretations of signs as signals are hypothetical. Medical prudence also speaks of “caviat … caviat” – mistakes of judgement loom large. Clinicians pride in their skills is an enemy of “caviat” and should be tamed. This is particularly important in the current context, because the signs I see (pointed forehead often associated with microcephaly; a short nose resulting in quite visible nasal openings (nostrils); and a flat upper lip (lack of philtrum) suggest  to me that these concurrent signs may be due to teratogenic impacts of alcohol. Should I say so to the mother who may not be a consumer of alcohol, it would represent a serious mistake – “caviat … caviat” suggests that instead I could strive to gain the confidence of the mother and others to jointly explore not only alcohol but other known teratogenic factors to establish a firm basis for a diagnosis, treatment and prevention of recurrence.

Please, see a series of modules on the subject.