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Louw JG, Broodryk M, White L, Acker D, Viljoen DL, Olivier L. A multi-year, multi-site study of the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in South Africa. ALCOHOL, CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 48:867-879. [PMID: 38548386 DOI: 10.1111/acer.15306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa has the highest reported prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) globally. The most recent study reported a weighted, estimated FASD prevalence of 310 per 1000 in a community in the Western Cape Province. Because there is as yet no reliable estimate of the national burden of FASD in South Africa, further epidemiological studies are needed in diverse settings. This paper reports on a multiyear, multisite FASD epidemiological study that took place from 2015 to 2022 at eight study sites in four provinces. METHODS The cross-sectional epidemiological study used an active case-ascertainment method, specifically in primary schools. All children were recruited when they were enrolled in Grade 1 at a participating school. All consented participants progressed through a tiered-screening recruitment and diagnostic process. RESULTS Overall, 3033 children were included in the study. A total of 3001 children were screened for FASD in the first tier, with 1086 progressing to the second and 495 to the third tier. Of the 495 children referred, 475 were discussed during the final case conference. A total of 309 participants were diagnosed with FAS across the eight study sites. The highest reported prevalence was in the Northern Cape Province, with a rate of 199.3/1000 (95% CI, 147.6-251) using all eligible participants as the denominator. The lowest prevalence was in the Eastern Cape Province, with a rate of 57.4/1000 (95% CI, 36.5-78.3). The pooled FAS prevalence for the eight study sites was 80.2/1000 (95% CI, 70.4-89.9). CONCLUSIONS As with previous studies, we found a concerningly high prevalence of FASD in South Africa. Given the scope of the problem it should be a high priority for health and welfare services to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus Gidion Louw
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Mandi Broodryk
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liska White
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Debbie Acker
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Leana Olivier
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
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Oh SS, Kang B, Park J, Kim S, Park EC, Lee SH, Kawachi I. Racial/Ethnic Disparity in Association Between Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Alcohol Intake During Pregnancy: Multisite Retrospective Cohort Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2023; 9:e45358. [PMID: 37083819 PMCID: PMC10147559 DOI: 10.2196/45358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with a range of adverse birth-related outcomes, including stillbirth, low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). With more than 10% of women consuming alcohol during pregnancy worldwide, it is increasingly important to understand how racial/ethnic variations affect FAS onset. However, whether race and ethnicity inform FAS risk assessment when daily ethanol intake is controlled for remains unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess racial/ethnic disparities in FAS risk associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. METHODS We used data from a longitudinal cohort study (the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) at 5 hospital sites around the United States of 595 women who consumed alcohol during pregnancy from 2007 to 2017. Questionnaires, in-person interviews, and reviews of medical, legal, and social service records were used to gather data on average alcoholic content (AAC) during pregnancy. Self-reports of maternal race (American Indian/Alaska Native [AI/AN], Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Black or African American, White, more than one race, and other) and ethnicity (Hispanic/Latino or not Hispanic/Latino), as well as FAS diagnoses based on standardized dysmorphological criteria, were used for analysis. Log-binomial regression was used to examine the risk of FAS associated with each 1-gram increase in ethanol consumption during pregnancy, stratified by race/ethnicity. RESULTS A total of 3.4% (20/595) of women who reported consuming alcohol during pregnancy gave birth to a baby with FAS. Women who gave birth to a baby with FAS had a mean AAC of 32.06 (SD 9.09) grams, which was higher than that of women who did not give birth to a baby with FAS (mean 12.07, SD 15.87 grams). AI/AN mothers with FAS babies had the highest AAC (mean 42.62, SD 8.35 grams), followed by White (mean 30.13, SD 4.88 grams) and Black mothers (mean 27.05, SD 12.78 grams). White (prevalence ratio [PR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.19), Black (PR 1.13, 95% CI 1.04-1.23), and AI/AN (PR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00-1.21) mothers had 10% to 13% increased odds of giving birth to a baby with FAS given the same exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. Regardless of race, a 1-gram increase in AAC resulted in a 4% increase (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02-1.07) in the chance of giving birth to a baby with ≥2 facial anomalies (ie, short palpebral fissures, thin vermilion border of the upper lip, and smooth philtrum) and a 4% increase (PR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.07) in the chance of deficient brain growth. CONCLUSIONS The risk of delivering a baby with FAS was comparable among White, Black, and AI/AN women at similar levels of drinking during pregnancy. Regardless of race, a 1-gram increase in AAC resulted in increased odds of giving birth to a baby with facial anomalies or deficient brain growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Soyeon Oh
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bada Kang
- Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Nursing, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jewel Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - SangMin Kim
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eun-Cheol Park
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hee Lee
- College of Nursing and Brain Korea 21 Four Project, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ichiro Kawachi
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Geerts L, Meyer R, Nolan H, Nel L, Nel DG, Brink L, Odendaal H. Reference standards for facial measurements in early third trimester South African fetuses, and the effect of maternal and fetal characteristics. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2022; 35:8434-8442. [PMID: 35042446 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2021.1977794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a major problem worldwide and dysmorphic facial features may be a prenatal biomarker for FASD. Deviations from normal facial development cannot be explored before establishing the normal variation in a specific population, since ethnic differences may exist.Objectives: Main objective: to establish reference standards for 23 facial measurements on 3D ultrasound volumes obtained between days 196 and 224 of gestation in healthy unexposed South African fetuses from an area with historically high alcohol consumption prevalence and a population group with no existing normative values. Secondary objective: to assess the confounding effect of maternal and fetal characteristics.Design: This study involves 97 women (including 43 smokers) who had been enrolled in the Safe Passage Study (SPS), a large prospective multinational cohort study assessing the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. They had adequate 3 D ultrasound volumes of the fetal face acquired at 28+0-31+6 weeks in singleton pregnancies without comorbidities, congenital abnormalities or exposure to alcohol, marijuana, or methamphetamines from 4 weeks before conception.Participants, materials, setting, methods: The participants were recruited from two residential areas of low socioeconomic status in Cape Town. Meticulous information was collected on maternal and pregnancy characteristics, including alcohol use at different time points. Gestational age (GA) was based on ultrasound biometry before 24 weeks, and 3D ultrasound volumes were acquired trans-abdominally from a sagittal and axial plane of the fetal face. Volumes were independently assessed offline by two observers and the image with the best landmark definition was used for 23 facial measurements, representing features previously described in children with FASD. The relation to the exact GA was assessed by regression analysis, the expected mean value and standard error of the estimate (SEE) was determined to transform all raw measurements into z-scores, and the effect of possible confounders on z-scores was assessed by ANOVA.Results: Ten variables changed significantly with advancing GA (extraocular diameter, anteroposterior, medio-lateral and supero-inferior ocular diameter, ocular volume, interlens distance, prenasal thickness, nasal bone length, nose length and nose protrusion) and thirteen did not (interocular distance; interocular: extraocular diameter ratio, prenasal thickness: nasal bone length ratio, pronasal-subnasal distance, subnasal-mouth distance, philtrum length, upper vermillion thickness, nose-philtrum angle, maxillary angle, facial height, facial protrusion, frontomaxillary facial angle and maxilla-nasion-mandible angle). Reference values (expected mean and SEE) for the 23 measurements were established for each day.The z-scores of all facial measurements were not independently affected by maternal age, parity, gravidity, smoking or body mass index, but infant sex and birthweight z-score significantly influenced several z-scores (infant sex for extraocular, medio-lateral, and supero-inferior ocular diameter, ocular volume, prenasal thickness and nose protrusion; birthweight z-score for extraocular diameter, interocular and interlens distance, nose protrusion and maxillary angle).Limitations: GA was not always confirmed by first trimester ultrasound and some measurements could not be obtained in all cases due to suboptimal image quality. The cohort included few heavy smokers so an effect of heavy or continued smoking cannot be ruled out, and the effect of ethnicity was not assessed.Conclusions: These are the first local reference standards for fetal facial measurements and, to our knowledge, the first reference standards for the supero-inferior ocular diameter, face protrusion, upper vermillion thickness, maxillary angle, and nose-philtrum angle. They were broadly in keeping with published references, with small discrepancies explained by minor differences in technique. Even in this narrow GA window, the distribution of many variables changed over time and normal variation was significantly influenced by fetal sex and birthweight z-score. The possible confounding effect of these factors needs to be considered when assessing the impact of harmful exposures like alcohol on facial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lut Geerts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Rosemary Meyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Heidi Nolan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Lynel Nel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Daniel Gerhardus Nel
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Centre for Statistical Consultation, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Lucy Brink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
| | - Hein Odendaal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Parow, South Africa
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Fiore M, Petrella C, Coriale G, Rosso P, Fico E, Ralli M, Greco A, De Vincentiis M, Minni A, Polimeni A, Vitali M, Messina MP, Ferraguti G, Tarani F, de Persis S, Ceccanti M, Tarani L. Markers of Neuroinflammation in the Serum of Prepubertal Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2022; 21:854-868. [PMID: 34852752 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666211201154839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are the manifestation of the damage caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), the extreme FASD manifestation, show both facial dysmorphology and mental retardation. Alcohol consumed during gestational age prejudices brain development by reducing, among others, the synthesis and release of neurotrophic factors and neuroinflammatory markers. Alcohol drinking also induces oxidative stress. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to investigate the potential association between neurotrophins, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in 12 prepubertal male and female FASD children diagnosed as FAS or partial FAS (pFAS). METHODS Accordingly, we analyzed, in the serum, the level of BDNF and NGF and the oxidative stress, as Free Oxygen Radicals Test (FORT) and Free Oxygen Radicals Defense (FORD). Moreover, serum levels of inflammatory mediators (IL-1α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, MCP-1, TGF-β, and TNF-α) involved in neuroinflammatory and oxidative processes have been investigated. RESULTS We demonstrated low serum levels of NGF and BDNF in pre-pubertal FASD children with respect to healthy controls. These changes were associated with higher serum presence of TNF- α and IL-1α. Quite interestingly, an elevation in the FORD was also found despite normal FORT levels. Moreover, we found a potentiation of IL-1α, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-1α1 in the analyzed female compared to male children. CONCLUSION The present investigation shows an imbalance in the peripheral neuroimmune pathways that could be used in children as early biomarkers of the deficits observed in FASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Fiore
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Petrella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Coriale
- Centro Riferimento Alcologico Regione Lazio, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Pamela Rosso
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Fico
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, IBBC-CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo Ralli
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Minni
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Polimeni
- Department of Odontostomatological and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Francesca Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
| | | | - Mauro Ceccanti
- SITAC, Societa' Italiana per il Trattamento dell'Alcolismo, Roma Italy SIFASD, Società Italiana Sindrome Feto-Alcolica, Roma, Italy
| | - Luigi Tarani
- Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University Hospital of Rome, Italy
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Louw JG, van Heerden A, Olivier L, Lambrechts T, Broodryk M, Bunge L, Vosloo M, Tomlinson M. Executive Function After Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Children in a South African Population: Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Form Res 2021; 5:e20658. [PMID: 34255647 PMCID: PMC8285745 DOI: 10.2196/20658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alcohol is a teratogen; its consumption during pregnancy can lead to negative birth outcomes, collectively referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Neurodevelopmental delays in higher-order cognitive functions that affect development of executive functions are a common feature. Studies on executive function in children have focused on children diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and there is a lack of information on the impact on children not diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder but who had been exposed to alcohol. Objective The aim of this study was to compare the development of executive function in children between 4 and 6 years of age with and without prenatal exposure to alcohol. Methods Children both exposed and not exposed to alcohol were recruited as part of a feasibility RCT evaluating a computer-based cognitive training program for improving executive function development. The study was conducted in a low–socioeconomic status community in South Africa with a high prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Neurodevelopment was assessed in participating children; NEPSY-II standardized scores for executive function domains were compared using a multivariate analysis of variance with group membership as the predictor variable. Results No significant differences in executive functions assessments (P=.39) were found between children in the alcohol-exposed group (n=76) and those in the nonexposed group (n=40). Both groups showed moderate to severe delays in domains. In all but one subtest, the average score for both groups was below the 25th percentile of expected norms. Conclusions We expected that alcohol exposure would have a measurable impact on executive function development. The lack of differences highlights the prevalence of developmental delays in low–socioeconomic status communities in South Africa and suggests that children are exposed to various threats to cognitive development. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/14489
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobus Gidion Louw
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa.,Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.,Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand/Medical Research Council, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Leana Olivier
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tersius Lambrechts
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Mandi Broodryk
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Liska Bunge
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Martlé Vosloo
- Foundation for Alcohol Related Research, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark Tomlinson
- Institute for Life Course Health Research, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom
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Tenenbaum A, Mandel A, Dor T, Sapir A, Sapir-Bodnaro O, Hertz P, Wexler ID. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among pre-adopted and foster children. BMC Pediatr 2020; 20:275. [PMID: 32493264 PMCID: PMC7271511 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. Children in foster care or domestically adopted are at greater risk for FASD. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence or risk for FASD in a selected population of foster and adopted children. Methods Children between 2 and 12 years who were candidates for adoption in foster care were evaluated for clinical manifestations and historical features of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder based on established criteria for FASD. Results Of the 89 children evaluated, 18 had mothers with a confirmed history of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Two children had fetal alcohol syndrome and one had partial fetal alcohol syndrome. In addition, five had alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, one had alcohol-related birth defects, and a single child had manifestations of both. Of the 71 children in which fetal alcohol exposure could not be confirmed, many had manifestations that would have established a diagnosis of FASD were a history of maternal alcohol consumption obtained. Conclusions In a population of high-risk children seen in an adoption clinic, many had manifestations associated with FASD especially where prenatal alcohol exposure was established. The reported prevalence in this study is higher than that reported in our previous study of younger children. This is most likely due to the higher number of children diagnosed with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders that typically manifest at an older age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Tenenbaum
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel.
| | - Asaf Mandel
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
| | - Talia Dor
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
| | - Alon Sapir
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
| | - Orly Sapir-Bodnaro
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
| | - Pnina Hertz
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
| | - Isaiah D Wexler
- Medical Unit for Adoption and Foster Care, Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Medical Center, Mount Scopus Campus, 92140, Jerusalem, IL, Israel
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Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Lancet Neurol 2019; 18:760-770. [PMID: 31160204 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(19)30150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although prenatal alcohol exposure causes craniofacial anomalies, growth retardation, neurological abnormalities, cognitive impairment, and birth defects, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is underdiagnosed. Global prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is 0·77%, with a higher prevalence of 2-5% in Europe and North America, highlighting the need for increased diagnosis and treatment. However, diagnosis remains challenging because of the poor reliability of self-reported maternal drinking histories, an absence of sensitive biomarkers, and the infrequency of diagnostic dysmorphic facial features among individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Different diagnostic systems and disagreements over criteria have slowed progress in the diagnosis and management of the disorder. Neuroimaging shows abnormalities in brain structure, cortical development, white matter microstructure, and functional connectivity in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. These abnormalities modify developmental trajectories and are associated with deficits in cognition, executive function, memory, vision, hearing, motor skills, behaviour, and social adaptation. Promising trials of nutritional interventions and cognitive rehabilitation therapies are underway, with the aim of treating cognitive deficits in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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