Event: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) — Early Diagnosis
Date: 27 May 2026
Organised by: Children’s Center at University Hospital Greifswald.
A certified continuing education event on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) was held on 27 May 2026 at University Hospital Greifswald in Germany. Joined by more than 40 professionals from different fields, the event brought together four expert speakers and aimed at improving early diagnosis, professional awareness, and interdisciplinary cooperation in the field of FASD.
The meeting was started with the presentation of Dr. Sabrina Koop, who introduced the international FASD-Bridge project (WP2), focusing on regional epidemiology, early diagnosis and clinical significance. In her speech, she emphasized on alcohol exposure during pregnancy which directly affects the unborn child and may lead to a broad spectrum of consequences, including facial anomalies, impaired brain development, growth restrictions, and organ damage.
Prof. Dr. Hans-Ludwig Spohr, who is the founder of the former FASD Centre in Berlin, shared his decades long clinical experience with an emphasis on the critical importance of early and lifelong support for affected individuals and families.
Prof. Dr. Astrid Bertsche presented the Social padiatric Center (SPZ), Greifswald as a comprehensive diagnostic and advisory resource, while Dr. Susanne Schmidt, head of Paediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry at Helios Hanseklinikum Stralsund, highlighted the role of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Stralsund, Germany as a complementary institution, with a particular focus on sensitive family communication.
The event concluded at the end with a joint discussion and reinforced the need for cross-sector as well as cross-border collaboration, and highlighted the importance of strengthening early identification and support pathways for children affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), while also addressing the broader needs of families and professionals involved in care and support (WP3).
