Journal
ALCOHOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 37, Issue 5, Pages 818-830Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/acer.12033
Keywords
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Diagnosis; South Africa; Alcohol Abuse; Cognition; Maternal Drinking
Categories
Funding
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) [RO1 AA09440, R01 AA11685, RO1/UO1 AA01115134]
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background The prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were determined in this fourth study of first-grade children in a South African community. Methods Active case ascertainment methods were employed among 747 first-grade pupils. The detailed characteristics of children within the continuum of FASD are contrasted with randomly selected, normal controls on (i) physical growth and dysmorphology; (ii) cognitive/behavioral characteristics; and (iii) maternal risk factors. Results The rates of specific diagnoses within the FASD spectrum continue to be among the highest reported in any community in the world. The prevalence (per 1,000) is as follows: fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)59.3 to 91.0; partial fetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS)45.3 to 69.6; and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND)30.5 to 46.8. The overall rate of FASD is therefore 135.1 to 207.5 per 1,000 (or 13.6 to 20.9%). Clinical profiles of the physical and cognitive/behavioral traits of children with a specific FASD diagnosis and controls are provided for understanding the full spectrum of FASD in a community. The spectral effect is evident in the characteristics of the diagnostic groups and summarized by the total (mean) dysmorphology scores of the children: FAS=18.9; PFAS=14.3; ARND=12.2; and normal controls, alcohol exposed=8.2 and unexposed=7.1. Documented drinking during pregnancy is significantly correlated with verbal (r=0.253) and nonverbal ability (r=0.265), negative behaviors (r=0.203), and total dysmorphology score (r=0.431). Other measures of drinking during pregnancy are significantly associated with FASD, including binge drinking as low as 3 drinks per episode on 2days of the week. Conclusions High rates of specific diagnoses within FASD were well documented in this new cohort of children. FASD persists in this community. The data reflect an increased ability to provide accurate and discriminating diagnoses throughout the continuum of FASD.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available