scholarly journals Suicidality and Associated Factors Among Individuals Assessed for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Across the Lifespan in Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 070674372110532
Author(s):  
Katherine Flannigan ◽  
Carly McMorris ◽  
Amanda Ewasiuk ◽  
Dorothy Badry ◽  
Mansfield Mela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Affect Regulation ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Objective Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of complex neurodevelopmental, psychological, and socioenvironmental vulnerabilities. There is growing evidence that suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide are significant concerns within this population. In this study, we (1) determined the rate of suicidal ideation/attempts in a large group of individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) who were assessed for FASD in Canada and (2) investigated the associations between suicidal ideation/attempts and select demographic and biopsychosocial factors in this group. Method A secondary analysis of data from Canada's National FASD Database, a national repository of clinical information gathered through FASD assessment and diagnostic clinics across the country, was conducted. Descriptive analyses, chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and binary logistic regression were used to examine demographic and biopsychosocial variables and their associations with suicidality. Results In our sample of 796 participants ( Mage = 17.7 years, range = 6–59; 57.6% male) assessed for FASD, 25.9% were reported to experience suicidal ideation/attempts. Numerous demographic and biopsychosocial factors were found to be significantly associated with suicidal ideation/attempts. The strongest associations with suicidal ideation/attempts were substance use, history of trauma/abuse, and impaired affect regulation. Conclusions With this study, we contribute to the emerging evidence of elevated risk of suicidality among individuals with PAE/FASD and improve our understanding of factors that may exacerbate this risk. Findings have relevance for improving screening, prevention, and proactive treatment approaches for individuals with PAE and FASD, their families, and wider support systems.

Understanding and managing sleep disruption in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Hanlon-Dearman ◽  
Maida Lynn Chen ◽  
Heather Carmichael Olson
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Rational Approach ◽  
Sleep Disruption ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Accumulating evidence has revealed high rates of sleep disruption among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Multiple animal and clinical studies have found a clear association between sleep problems and prenatal alcohol exposure, and recent research is beginning to characterize the types and extent of sleep disruption in FASD. Nevertheless, sleep disruption in children with FASD often goes unrecognized or is treated without referring to an evidence base. Children’s disrupted sleep interferes with parental sleep and increases caregiver burden, which is of particular importance for families raising children with FASD, a group with very high levels of caregiving stress. The literature supporting an association between sleep problems and deficits in emotional, behavioral, and cognitive function in children is compelling, but needs further investigation in children with FASD. This paper will review the current state of knowledge on sleep in FASD and recommend a rational approach to sleep interventions for affected children and their families.

scholarly journals A Brief History of Awareness of the Link Between Alcohol and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine M. Brown ◽  
Roger Bland ◽  
Egon Jonsson ◽  
Andrew J. Greenshaw
Keyword(s):  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Cellular Growth ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol ◽  
The Many ◽  
Historical Accounts ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Objective: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a medical term used to describe a range of mental and physical disabilities caused by maternal alcohol consumption. The role of alcohol as a teratogen and its effects on the cellular growth of the embryo and the fetus were not determined on scientific grounds until the late 1960s. However, the link between alcohol use during pregnancy and its harms to offspring might have been observed frequently over the many thousands of years during which alcohol has been available and used for social and other reasons. Methods and Results: Using sources ranging from the biblical Book of Judges (pre-1700) up until the first public health bulletin (1977), we seek to provide an overview of the academic debate around early historical accounts ostensibly attributed to the awareness of alcohol as a prenatal teratogen as well as to describe the social and political influences that sculpted developments leading to the public recognition of FASD. Conclusions: Our analysis provides a brief overview of the discourse regarding historical awareness of the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on fetal development leading to the formal recognition of FASD as a distinct clinical entity. Further research will be required to fully appreciate the scientific, medical, and societal ills associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.

scholarly journals Global prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking during pregnancy, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana Popova ◽  
Shannon Lange ◽  
Charlotte Probst ◽  
Gerrit Gmel ◽  
Jürgen Rehm
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Prenatal Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fetal Alcohol ◽  
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum

Alcohol use during pregnancy is an established cause of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), with heavy drinking during pregnancy being explicitly linked to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). This paper presents recent estimates of the prevalence of: (i) any amount of alcohol use during pregnancy; (ii) one or more binge drinking episode(s) (4 or more standard drinks on a single occasion) during pregnancy; (iii) FAS; and (iv) FASD among the general population globally and by World Health Organization region. It is apparent, based on the presented estimates, that alcohol use and binge drinking occur frequently among pregnant women in many countries and as a result, FASD is a prevalent alcohol-related developmental disability. Urgent action is required around the globe to eliminate prenatal alcohol exposure and prevent future children, adolescents, and adults from having FASD.

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