• Home
  • Store
    • Newsletter Subscriptions
    • Multimedia Subscriptions
    • Books
    • eBooks
    • ABPN SA Courses
  • CME Center
  • Multimedia
    • Podcast
    • Webinars
    • Blog
  • Newsletters
    • General Psychiatry
    • Child Psychiatry
    • Addiction Treatment
    • Hospital Psychiatry
    • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Log In
  • Register
  • Welcome
  • Sign Out
  • Subscribe
Home » Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

May 1, 2018
Christian J. Teter, PharmD, BCPP
From The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
Issue Links: Learning Objectives | Editorial Information | PDF of Issue
Christian J. Teter, PharmD, BCPP Dr. Teter has disclosed that he has no relevant financial or other interests in any commercial companies pertaining to this educational activity.
REVIEW OF: May PA et al, JAMA 2018;319(5):474–482

New evidence suggests that the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is higher than previously documented. In this study, prevalence estimates were derived from 13,146 first-grade children in four U.S. communities between 2010 and 2016. The authors provide both conservative estimates (1%–5%) and less conservative estimates (3%–10%) of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, which are higher than previously reported (eg, 1%–2%).

The study used active-case ascertainment, which the authors assert is a more reliable approach for identifying this cluster of disorders (eg, fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, and alcohol-related neurodevelopment disorder). With active-case ascertainment, surveillance personnel are trained to conduct research by reviewing data from all areas of a hospital that come in contact with a neonate, instead of limiting themselves to the neonatal intensive care and labor and delivery units.

Furthermore, standardized consensus criteria were employed to classify cases (see: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/diagnosis.html). Assessments included four relevant domains: growth, dysmorphology, neurodevelopment, and prenatal alcohol exposure (the latter assessed during maternal interviews).

During this time period, 222 children were identified as having fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Notably, only two of these children had been previously diagnosed. Using the more conservative approach, the prevalence rates of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders across the four sites ranged from 11.3 (95% CI, 7.8–15.8) to 50.0 (95% CI, 39.9–61.7) per 1,000 children. This corresponds to a range of approximately 1%–5%, the latter of which is higher than previous published estimates. The less conservative estimates that were reported in this study peaked at 98.5 per 1,000 children (nearly 10%) at one site.

CATR’s Take
According to this new research, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are not rare events in the US, which suggests we need to improve our ability to detect these cases. Given the negative (and preventable) consequences associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (eg, poor academic achievement, mental health disorders), CATR recommends proactive education on the adverse consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, in addition to enhanced prevention and intervention efforts. Also, support services should be provided for individuals affected by this condition, with the goal of improving their long-term prognosis and enhancing their quality of life.
Addiction Treatment
KEYWORDS addiction research-update substance-abuse women's_issues_in_psychiatry
Christian J. Teter, PharmD, BCPP

More from this author
www.thecarlatreport.com
Issue Date: May 1, 2018
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Table Of Contents
CME Post-Test - Pain and Addiction, CATR May/June 2018
Treating Chronic Pain When There’s Addiction: A Primer
Assessing and Treating Psychogenic Pain
Using Caution While Prescribing Opioids for Pain
Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Is Varenicline Effective for Alcohol Use Disorder?
Guidelines for Switching From Methadone to Buprenorphine
DOWNLOAD NOW
Featured Book
  • AUDFB1e_CoilBound_Graphic2_transparent_sm.png

    Treating Alcohol Use Disorder: A Fact Book (2023)

    All the tools and information needed to assess and treat your patients who are struggling with...
    READ MORE
Featured Video
  • therapist_canstockphoto9201097.jpg
    General Psychiatry

    Using SAMe In Clinical Practice with Garrett Rossi, MD

    Read More
Featured Podcast
  • Substance_Use_Sites.jpeg
    Addiction Treatment

    Supervised Drug Consumption Sites

    Once controversial, research clearly shows the benefit of these sites, and they have started opening in the United States.

    Listen now
Recommended
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png
  • Approaches to Autism Intervention

    January 31, 2022
    canstockphoto2240982_child-bubbles_thumb.jpg
  • Currently Available Cannabis Products

    September 1, 2022
  • Interpreting Assessment Discrepancies from Multiple Sources

    October 17, 2022
    ChildAssessment.png

About

  • About Us
  • CME Center
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us

Shop Online

  • Newsletters
  • Multimedia Subscriptions
  • Books
  • eBooks
  • ABPN Self-Assessment Courses

Newsletters

  • The Carlat Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Child Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Addiction Treatment Report
  • The Carlat Hospital Psychiatry Report
  • The Carlat Geriatric Psychiatry Report

Contact

info@thecarlatreport.com

866-348-9279

PO Box 626, Newburyport MA 01950

Follow Us

Please see our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Subscription Agreement, Use of Cookies, and Hardware/Software Requirements to view our website.

© 2023 Carlat Publishing, LLC and Affiliates, All Rights Reserved.