Economic Impact of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD): A Systematic Literature Review

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 substantial heterogeneity in measures of alcohol consumption (eg, timing of exposure, quantification of alcohol measure and definition of a standard drink). Study quality improved over time and appeared higher for studies based on active case ascertainment, especially when conducted in schools and when behaviour was assessed through interviews.ConclusionsWe aimed to identify specific maternal drinking behaviour(s) related to FASD. The state of the literature precludes such conclusions. Evidence-based preventive measures necessitate identifying which prenatal alcohol drinking behaviour(s) are most in need of intervention. Therefore, we formulate three recommendations for future research. First, future studies can optimise the value of the collected dataset through specifying measurements and reporting of maternal drinking behaviours and avoiding categorised measures (nominal or ordinal) whenever possible. Second, samples should not be selected based on FASD status, but instead, FASD status as well as maternal alcohol consumption should both be measured in a general population sample. Finally, we provide 10 reporting guidelines for FASD research.

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Brief History

The Journal of Psychiatry & Law ◽

10.1177/009318531003800402 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 373-382 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kenneth Lyons Jones ◽

Ann P. Streissguth

Keyword(s):

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ◽

Fetal Alcohol ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

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The Importance of Creating Habilitation Programs for Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Acta biomedica scientifica ◽

10.29413/abs.2021-6.2.16 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 142-148

Author(s):

A. Yu. Marianian ◽

E. V. Molchanova ◽

N. V. Akudovich ◽

A. N. Kalkova

Keyword(s):

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders ◽

State Level ◽

Social Situation ◽

The State ◽

New Drugs ◽

Fetal Alcohol ◽

Psychological Burden ◽

Spectrum Disorders ◽

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Aim of the study: to analyze the data of studies aimed at studying and substantiating the urgent need to create in Russia comprehensive habilitation programs for people with fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other mental disorders.Methods. The results of Russian and foreign studies have been analyzed concerning the following problems: observation and diagnosis of people with fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; studying the experience of foreign countries in addressing issues of prevention and overcoming of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; studying the experience of Russian specialists (obstetricians-gynecologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, correctional teachers, etc.) working with the diagnosis of “Alcohol syndrome in the fetus”; assessing the socio-economic impact of organizing programs for the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders by comparison with similar indicators in other countries.Results. The presented analysis of the data indicates that there is an urgent need for timely diagnosis of the disease, the search/creation of new drugs, for the treatment of the consequences of alcohol syndrome and the organization of training of specialists in this area. The article shows the importance of providing lifelong medical and social assistance to people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, as well as to their families. The effectiveness of the creation of a system of measures for the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders throughout the country has been confirmed.Conclusion. The development at the state level and implementation of prevention programs will significantly reduce the birth rate of children diagnosed with “Alcohol syndrome in the fetus” and, thus, reduce the costs of the state and society on overcoming the consequences of FAS/FASD. At the same time, timely and well-organized habilitation of people with FAS/FASD will significantly improve the social situation in society as a whole, as well as reduce the psychological burden on every family faced with this problem.

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