Math Performance and Behavior Problems in Children Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Intervention and Follow-Up

AbstractAn objective in current research on children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is to determine neurobehavioral profiles to identify affected individuals. Deficits observed when children with FASD are compared to typically developing controls may be confounded by lower IQ scores in the subjects with FASD. To determine if prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with neurobehavioral deficits after controlling for IQ differences, multivariate analyses were conducted to compare alcohol-exposed (ALC) subjects to a comparison group closely matched on IQ (IQC). The initial analysis included a broad neuropsychological battery with measures of language, executive function, visual–motor integration, motor ability, and academic achievement. Additional, in depth comparisons focused on visual sustained attention, verbal learning and memory and parent/guardian-reported behavior problems. Group differences (ALC < IQC) were found on verbal learning and parent-rated behavior problems. Group differences were marginally significant (measures within the broad neuropsychological comparison) or not significant (visual attention, retention of verbal material) on the remaining comparisons. Therefore, some deficits (e.g., verbal learning and behavior problems) in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure cannot be explained by the lower FSIQ observed in the population. These areas of relative weakness could be useful in distinguishing children with FASD from other children with lowered IQ. (JINS, 2011, 17, 463–473)

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The Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on Psychopathology and Behavior

Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research ◽

10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01953.x ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 507-516 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Ashley L. Ware ◽

Jessica W. O'Brien ◽

Nicole Crocker ◽

Benjamin N. Deweese ◽

Scott C. Roesch ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Prenatal Alcohol ◽

And Behavior

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Combining neuroimaging and behavior to discriminate children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder with and without prenatal alcohol exposure

Brain Imaging and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s11682-021-00477-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph O’Neill ◽

Mary J. O’Connor ◽

Guldamla Kalender ◽

Ronald Ly ◽

Andrea Ng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Prenatal Alcohol ◽

And Behavior

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Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Ability, Academic Achievement, and School Functioning in Adolescence: A Longitudinal Follow-Up

Journal of Pediatric Psychology ◽

10.1093/jpepsy/jsj029 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 116-126 ◽

Cited By ~ 103

Author(s):

Karen K. Howell ◽

Mary Ellen Lynch ◽

Kathleen A. Platzman ◽

G. Harold Smith ◽

Claire D. Coles

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

School Functioning ◽

Prenatal Alcohol

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Outcomes of children adopted from Eastern Europe

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/0165025408098026 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 33 (4) ◽

pp. 289-298 ◽

Cited By ~ 53

Author(s):

Laurie Miller ◽

Wilma Chan ◽

Linda Tirella ◽

Ellen Perrin

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Behavioral Problems ◽

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽

Alcohol Exposure ◽

Parent Stress ◽

Eastern European ◽

Child Externalizing Behaviors ◽

Facial Phenotype ◽

Prenatal Alcohol

Behavioral problems are frequent among post-institutionalized Eastern European adoptees. However, risk factors related to outcomes have not been fully delineated. We evaluated 50 Eastern European adoptees, age 8—10 years, with their adoptive families for more than five years. Cognitive and behavioral outcomes and parenting stress were evaluated in relation to pre-adoptive risk factors, including arrival age, growth, and facial phenotype related to prenatal alcohol exposure. At follow-up, IQ and achievement scores were ≥ average in most children (≥74%). Behavioral and school problems were common (externalizing 44%, internalizing 18%, behavioral symptoms 50%, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 46%, learning disabilities 40%, mental health disorders 28%); 38% had multiple problems. Behavioral problems correlated inversely with IQ. Parent stress was high and correlated with child externalizing behaviors and inversely to child full scale IQ. Children with “severe behavioral disturbances” (24%) were more likely to have had smaller head circumferences at arrival. Child's age at adoption related inversely to parent stress, possibly due to the longer duration of time that children resided with their families. “High/intermediate risk” phenotypic facial scores for prenatal alcohol exposure (58%) correlated with head circumference z scores at arrival and follow-up. Otherwise, arrival age, growth, and facial phenotype did not correlate with these specific outcome measures.

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