Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand

FACSNZ provides support, education, awareness and prevention of foetal anticonvulsant syndromes. Allow informed consent and choice.

Nationwide

Babies are being harmed during pregnancy by exposure to anti-seizure medicines and childbearing people aren't getting informed choice or consent.

You may not even know you are on an anti-seizure medicine because yes they are used for seizures, but they are also used for mental health conditions, neuropathy, pain, and migraines.

Here at FACSNZ we provide support, education, awareness and prevention.

Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome (FACS) occurs when the anti-seizure medicine(s) that was taken by the childbearing person during pregnancy crosses the placenta and into the baby. The diagnosis of FACS can only be made by a specialist, when the childbearing person, who took the specific anti-seizure medicine(s) during pregnancy has a child with a combination of physical malformations, dysmorphic (facial) features, neurodevelopment or cognitive difficulties, and no other cause can be found for these difficulties e.g., genetic syndromes.

More about us

Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand has been set up to offer support, education, awareness and prevention advice to GPs and specialists, and families alike, about the effects of antiepileptic medicines and the effects on unborn babies. It is also a place where people, families, communities and interested parties, who have been affected by the antiepileptic medication during pregnancy, can come for support and education.