Psychosocial Outcomes of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Adulthood

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Primary disabilities in children prenatally exposed to alcohol have a major impact on their daily life. It is suggested that these issues persist into adulthood, but few studies have addressed the outcome in adults with prenatal exposure, especially those with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The aim of this follow-up study was to investigate outcome variables, such as education, employment, health, and criminal acts, in 79 adults diagnosed with FAS. METHODS:We carried out a national register-based study of 79 adults with an FAS diagnosis, at a mean age of 32. Education, social adjustment, and mental health outcomes were analyzed and compared with 3160 comparison individuals matched on age, gender, and place of birth. RESULTS:The FAS group was much more likely to have received special education (25% vs 2%), be unemployed (51% vs 15%), and receive a disability pension (31% vs 3%) than the comparisons, but the levels of criminal offenses were similar. The FAS group had higher hospital admission rates for alcohol abuse (9% vs 2%) and psychiatric disorders (33% vs 5%) and was more likely to be prescribed psychotropic drugs (57% vs 27%).CONCLUSIONS: Swedish children with FAS have quite diverse psychosocial outcomes in adulthood, considerably worse than for majority population peers. Potential risk and protective factors within the FAS group deserve study to enable development of effective interventions. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Prenatal alcohol exposure can cause congenital neuropsychological and behavioral disabilities in later life. These usually lead to secondary disabilities (adverse outcome when the individual interacts with environmental settings), such as problems with school, the law, alcohol, or drugs. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This was a 30-year psychosocial register-based follow-up on adults with fetal alcohol syndrome and state care comparison group. The FAS-group had lower education and higher rates of unemployment, social welfare, and mental health problems than peers. Rates of criminality did not differ.

Self-reported health, use of alcohol and illicit drugs, and criminality among adults with foetal alcohol syndrome

“…Moreover, the adults with FAS had not been the victims of crime to a larger extent than the comparison group had. The results in this study confirmed those of previous studies (Famy et al, 1998;Rangmar, Hjern et al, 2015) reporting on psychiatric problems among individuals with FAS/D.…”

The utility of psychotropic drugs on patients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): a systematic review

“…There are limited published controlled studies of noradrenergic reuptake inhibitors Crossover RCT quantitative study. n = 4; 5-12 years FAS or pFAS and ADHD − Test group given 0.6 mg/kg Methylphenidate − Control group given lactose or vitamin C as placebo − Placebo given three times a day for 5 days with a 2-day washout period − Control subjects with ADHD experienced greater improvement with stimulant medication than FASD subjects − FASD children subjects performed worse on several measures when tested on stimulant medication than when tested without a stimulant Rangmar et al [32] 30-year longitudinal study, N = 79 adults with FAS, mean age 32…”

Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure in a prospective sample of young adults: Mental health, substance use, and difficulties with the legal system

“…Several studies based on a variety of data sources show a strong relationship between PAE and mental health problems in adults (O’Connor & Paley, 2009; Streissguth et al, 1996; Famy et al, 1998; Freunscht & Feldmann, 2011; Rangmar et al, 2015; Day et al, 2013; Barr et al, 2006). Streissguth et al, and Famy et al, both examined rates of mental health problems in samples of adults with PAE-related diagnoses and reported that large proportions experienced difficulties in this area.…”