Lithuania strengthens its response to FASD
08.09.2026 - Klaipėda University Hospital is strengthening efforts to improve the recognition of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Lithuania through the international FASD-Bridge project, implemented with partners from Germany and Poland.
The project is designed to bridge gaps between existing international knowledge on FASD and everyday healthcare practice. It brings together specialists from different disciplines to compare diagnostic approaches, strengthen multidisciplinary cooperation and develop methods that can be adapted to the Lithuanian health system. A particular focus is on improving professionals’ ability to recognise FASD earlier and more consistently, so that children and families can receive appropriate support sooner.
This is important because FASD can remain unidentified for years. Difficulties with attention, memory, learning, emotional regulation, impulse control and planning may instead be interpreted as behavioural problems, poor motivation or parenting difficulties. FASD-Bridge therefore aims not only to strengthen diagnostic knowledge, but also to support a more coordinated approach between different professionals involved in a child’s care.
Klaipėda University Hospital also emphasises the prevention message that there is no known safe amount of alcohol during pregnancy and no known safe period for drinking. As the brain develops throughout pregnancy, avoiding alcohol when planning a pregnancy and during pregnancy is the safest choice.
The development comes as FASD is receiving growing attention in Lithuania beyond the healthcare system. Lithuanian organisation FASD platforma has also recently joined the European FASD Alliance, connecting Lithuania’s emerging FASD civil-society work with the wider European network. The Alliance brings together organisations and professionals working to improve awareness, prevention and support for people with FASD and their families.
Taken together, the two developments suggest a strengthening of Lithuania’s response to FASD, both through building clinical expertise and through greater civil-society cooperation at national and European level.
Source: Klaipėda University Hospital
