Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome New Zealand

FACS NZ provides support, education, awareness and prevention of foetal anticonvulsant syndromes. Allow informed consent.

Nationwide

Babies are being harmed during pregnancy by exposure to antiepileptic medicines and mothers aren't being warned about it.

At FACS NZ we provide support and education, whether it be on an individualised basis, or to a larger group or community; awareness of the syndromes; and seek to decrease the likelihood of these syndromes.

Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome occurs when the antiepileptic medicine(s) that were taken by the mother during pregnancy cross the placenta and into the baby. The diagnosis of FACS can only be made by a specialist, when the mother, who took the specific AEDs 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.

We need your help to cover the costs of supporting families, and developing valuable resources to benefit everyone.

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.