A Fetal Alcohol Behavior Scale

Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 2004

Clinical descriptions of patients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) suggest major problems with adaptive behavior. Five operationally defined adverse outcomes and 18 associated risk/protective factors were examined using a Life History Interview with knowledgeable informants of 415 patients with FAS or FAE (median age 14 years, range 6-51; median IQ 86, range 29-126). Eighty percent of these patients were not raised by their biological mothers. For adolescents and adults, the life span prevalence was 61% for Disrupted School Experiences, 60% for Trouble with the Law, 50% for Confinement (in detention, jail, prison, or a psychiatric or alcohol/drug inpatient setting), 49% for Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors on repeated occasions, and 35% for Alcohol/Drug Problems. The odds of escaping these adverse life outcomes are increased 2-to 4-fold by receiving the diagnosis of FAS or FAE at an earlier age and by being reared in good stable environments. J Dev Behav Pediatr 25: [228][229][230][231][232][233][234][235][236][237][238] 2004. Index terms: fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol effects, risk factors for adverse life outcomes, life span studies, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Pediatrics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Primary disabilities in children prenatally exposed to alcohol have a major impact on their daily life. It is suggested that these issues persist into adulthood, but few studies have addressed the outcome in adults with prenatal exposure, especially those with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate outcome variables, such as education, employment, health, and criminal acts, in 79 adults diagnosed with FAS.

The Scientific World JOURNAL, 2008

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) currently represent the leading cause of mental retardation in North America, ahead of Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. The damaging effects of alcohol on the developing brain have a cascading impact on the social and neurocognitive profiles of affected individuals. Researchers investigating the profiles of children with FASDs have found impairments in learning and memory, executive functioning, and language, as well as hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor communication skills, difficulties with social and moral reasoning, and psychopathology. The primary goal of this review paper is to examine current issues pertaining to the identification of a behavioral phenotype in FASDs, as well as to address related screening and diagnostic concerns. We conclude that future research initiatives comparing children with FASDs to nonalcohol-exposed children with similar cognitive and socioemotional profiles should aid in uncovering the unique behavioral phen...

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2020

operations in the local site and all interaction with the school administrators. He wrote the majority of the first and last drafts of the manuscript. Julie Hasken was the Program Manager for both samples at this site. She oversaw all data and logistical matters locally, performed much of the data analyses and along with Dixie Hedrick, constructed the graphics, tables and figures. Heather Mastro and Julie Stegall were local field coordinators and maternal interviewers who provided constant liaison with school administrators, individual schools, and organizers for all participants in both samples. Each contributed programmatic data, written text and edited various drafts of the manuscript. Wendy Kalberg, David Buckley, Marian Ortega, and Marita Brooks designed, oversaw and performed various data management tools and files, data entry, and IRB activities at the central data repository. Wendy Kalberg, with input from Claire Coles of Emory University, designed the neurobehavioral battery of tests and checklists. Also, Ms. Kalberg trained local school psychologists and oversaw the implementation of neurobehavioral testing and data collection. Amy Elliott served as an advisor, evaluator in the neurobehavioral domain with the final case conferences for each child for each child. Barbara Tabachnick served as the statistical advisor for the manuscript, designed and performed the advanced statistical procedures.

Archives of Women's Mental Health, 2006

specificity ¼ 72%). These items were used to construct a potential FASD screening tool.

2013

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been identified as a major public health concern. However, limited research has used longitudinal data to track the developmental life course of these individuals. Furthermore, women who drink during pregnancy are not a homogenous group. Concerns regarding drinking behaviours in women who are or could become pregnant are therefore of great concern. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of a number of risk factors that contribute to a woman's drinking during pregnancy and FASD risk, as well as the subsequent lifespan outcomes that occur in individuals with FASD.

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 2020

ObjectiveTo determine the characteristics of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their mothers in a Midwestern city.MethodsCase–control samples were drawn from 2 separate first‐grade cohorts (combined N = 4,047) in every city school using different methods. In Cohort Sample 1, all consented small children (≤25th centile on height, weight, and/or head circumference) entered the study along with a random sample from all enrolled students. Cohort Sample 2 was drawn totally at random. Child growth, dysmorphology, and neurobehavior were assessed using the Collaboration on FASD Prevalence (CoFASP) criteria, and mothers were interviewed.ResultsFor the samples combined, 891 children received dysmorphology examinations, and 692 were case‐conferenced for final diagnosis. Forty‐four children met criteria for FASD. Total dysmorphology scores differentiated diagnostic groups: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), 16.7; partial FAS, 11.8; alcohol‐related neurodevelopmental disorder ...

Alcohol, 2015

The 2014 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Study Group (FASDSG) meeting focused on the dual themes of the risks associated with low to moderate alcohol exposure during pregnancy and knowledge translation practices to enhance the impact of scientific research. The meeting theme was titled "Low drinking versus no drinking: Matching science with policy and public perception". Despite decades of basic science and clinical evidence that has documented the risks associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, there still exists confusion and uncertainty on the part of health professionals and the public regarding the question of whether or not there is a "safe" level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The first keynote presentation reviewed the data obtained from large-scale epidemiological studies that have attempted to address the question of relative risk associated with low to moderate alcohol exposure during pregnancy. This presentation was followed by an expert panel discussion of the state of scientific evidence obtained from clinical and basic science investigations concerning this question, and strategies for moving research evidence into policy and practice. The second keynote presentation presented a framework for knowledge translation and mobilization to move research discoveries toward implementation. The conference also featured updates by government agencies, FASt data talks that highlighted new and innovative findings in FASD research, and award presentations, including a lifetime achievement award presented to Dr. Kenneth Warren to acknowledge his longstanding support for FASD research. A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2014 Henry Rosett award to Dr. Philip May in recognition of his substantial contributions to epidemiological studies on FASD.

Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2005

United States, with approximately 1 in 5 nonpregnant women reporting binge drinking (5 or more drinks on any one occasion) and 1 in 25 pregnant women reporting binge drinking. Alcohol use during pregnancy results in a spectrum of adverse outcomes known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one of these disorders. Fetal alcohol syndrome is characterized by specific facial abnormalities and significant impairments in neurodevelopment and physical growth. Early identification of children with FAS has been shown to enhance their longterm outcomes. In an effort to improve clinical recognition of children with this condition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was directed by Congress in 2002 to lead the development of uniform diagnostic criteria for FAS and other prenatal alcohol-related conditions. The purpose of this commentary is to provide clinicians a summary of the report released by CDC describing the current diagnostic criteria for FAS. In addition, advancements have been made in screening and brief interventions for alcohol use disorders in women who have the potential to make significant strides in the prevention of FAS spectrum disorders. Knowledge of the diagnostic criteria for FAS can lead to increased identification of the syndrome in infants and children and the provision of appropriate medical and support services. Screening for and intervening with women at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy can prevent FAS and other fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

BMJ Open

ObjectivesFetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is a worldwide problem. Maternal alcohol consumption is an important risk factor for FASD. It remains unknown which alcohol consumption patterns most strongly predict FASD. The objective of this study was to identify these.DesignSystematic literature review.MethodsWe searched in PubMed, PsychINFO, PsycARTICLES, ERIC, CINAHL, Embase and MEDLINE up to August 2018. The query consisted of keywords and their synonyms related to FASD, pregnancy and behaviour. Studies were excluded when not published in English, were reviews or involved non-human subjects. Substantial heterogeneity precluded aggregation or meta-analysis of the data. Instead, data were qualitatively inspected.ResultsIn total, 21 studies were eligible for further data analysis. All studies that measured both maternal alcohol drinking behaviours and FASD reported retrospective data on maternal drinking patterns, employing both continuous and categorical measures and exhibiting...