Prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Abstract

Alcohol use among women of childbearing age is a leading, preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. Although most women reduce their alcohol use upon pregnancy recognition, some women report drinking during pregnancy and others may continue to drink prior to realizing they are pregnant. These findings emphasize the need for effective prevention strategies for both pregnant and nonpregnant women who might be at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP). This report reviews evidence supporting alcohol screening and brief intervention as an effective approach to reducing problem drinking and AEPs that can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. In addition, this article highlights a recent report of the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect that describes effective interventions to reduce alcohol use and AEPs, and outlines recommendations on promoting and improving these strategies. Utilizing evidence-based alcohol screening tools and brief counseling for women at risk for an AEP and other effective population-based strategies can help achieve future alcohol-free pregnancies. Wiley-Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 200915:193-199.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

“…Pediatricians, medical home team members, and other health professionals are in prime position to provide both primary and secondary FASD prevention education and counseling because young women of childbearing age are among their patient population. 76 Pediatricians build trusted relationships with their adolescent and young adult patients and the parents of these patients, and a routine and expected part of medical home care is to discuss personal health responsibilities, including preventing pregnancy, alcohol, and other substance use and abstaining from sexual activity. Many women have misconceptions about the "safety" of alcohol use and as a result continue to consume alcohol during pregnancy despite the Surgeon General's warnings.…”

Dihydromyricetin Prevents Fetal Alcohol Exposure-Induced Behavioral and Physiological Deficits: The Roles of GABAA Receptors in Adolescence

“…For example, approximately 5-20 % of pregnant women engage in moderate drinking (C5 drinks/week) [3]. Many women keep drinking until they realize they are pregnant (4-6 weeks), and some of them quit or decrease their alcohol use only by mid-pregnancy [4][5][6], therefore many fetuses are exposed to EtOH during early stages of pregnancy. EtOH readily crosses the placenta; consequently, peak fetal blood EtOH levels are similar to the mother [7].…”

A Novel Integration Effort to Reduce the Risk for Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy among Women Attending Urban STD Clinics

“…19 However, brief interventions, in conjunction with screening for risk behaviors, have been shown to be efficacious in a variety of settings. 5,[20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Project CHOICES (Changing High-Risk AlcOhol Use and Increasing Contraception Effectiveness) is an integrated behavioral intervention for the prevention of prenatal alcohol exposure in women at high-risk for AEP. It was initiated by CDC in 1997 and developed in collaboration with experts in alcohol treatment, fetal alcohol syndrome, screening and brief intervention for behavior change, and service delivery.…”