The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Mini-Review
Journal Title: Interventions in Gynaecology and Women’s Healthcare - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Since the first description of the fetal alcohol syndrome in 1973 the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are still the leading preventable cause of birth defects,intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. A recent WHO study estimates the global prevalence 7,7 per 1000 population,with large differences between countries.Renewed awareness results in new prevention and screening campaigning for this completely preventable global public health problem. In this mini-review, the various parts of FASD, as FAS, ARND and ARBD are discussed. The term fetal alcohol syndrome was first used in 1973 [1,2]. Fetal Alcohol spectrum disorders are caused by drinking alcoho during pregnancy [3,4]. Prenatal exposure to alcohol can damage the developing fetus and is the leading preventable cause of birth defects and intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities [1,3,4]. It presented as a cluster of birth defects[1]. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) encompasses a range of possible diagnoses, including fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND), alcohol related birth defects (ARBD) and neurobehavioral disorder associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (ND-PAE). FAS is a distinct clinical entity refering to a specific constellation of physical behavioral and cognitive abnormalities, resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)-[1]. The lack of uniformly accepted diagnostic criteria for FAS and other related disorders has limited efforts to determine accurate prevalence figures. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the global prevalence to be 7,7 per 1000 population (95% CI; 4,9-11,7 per 1000 population). The WHO European Region had the highest prevalence (19,8 per 1000 population) and the WHO Eastern Meditarranean Region had the lowest (0,1 per 1000 population).South Africa was estimated to have the highest prevalence of FASD at 111,1 per 1000 population, followed by Croatia (53,3/1000 population)-[5]. Alcohol-related birth defects and developmental disabilities are completely preventable,when pregnant women abstain from alcohol use.Neurocognitive and behavioral problems resulting from prenatal exposure are lifelong.Early recognition,diagnosis, and therapy along the FASD spectrum can result in improved outcomes. There is no amount of alcohol intake to consider safe.There is no safe trimester to drink alcohol. All forms of alcohol pose similar risk and binge drinking poses dose-related related risk to the developing fetus [6]. There is a global need to establish an universal public health message about the potential harm of prenatal alcohol exposure and a routine screening protocol,according to the WHO [5]. Globally, nearly 10 percent of women drink alcohol during pregnancy [7]. In this mini-review the various parts of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders will be discussed. The pathogenesis,pathophysiology and treatment are beyond the scope of this mini-review.
Authors and Affiliations
Michael AB Naafs
Keywords
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- EP ID EP569075
- DOI 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.01.000104
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