INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
Rffada acknowledges and thanks the work of EUFASD in sourcing and compiling international research
EUFASD & RESEARCH 18 Aug 2024
These findings indicate that youth with FAS require urgent attention for each of the medically-related variables included in this study. The need for attention to their health care needs may increase as these youth transition from pediatric to adult health care services.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/
Health workers in this study requested high-quality training and the development of FASD practice guidelines to improve role clarity and clinical impact when working with FASD populations.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
Our findings indicate that the SACC population may be a valuable asset to identify novel disease-associated genetic loci for FASD and other diseases.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/
We conclude that the zebrafish model effectively mimics several FASD phenotypes observed in humans, confirming gene expression changes we have previously documented in a human observational study and providing a valuable platform for exploring the underlying mechanisms of alcohol-induced embryonic alterations and for developing diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for early intervention.
https://www.biorxiv.org/
Children with FASDs combine significant vulnerabilities, associating exposure to alcohol during the preconception and/or the prenatal period, prematurity, complex familial and sociocultural living conditions, and a genetic anomaly in almost a quarter of cases.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-
People with FASD have many strengths, which are often overlooked in research. They have been described as skilled musicians, artists and sportspeople with wide vocabularies who are resilient, compassionate, hardworking, and kind. Increasing attention is being paid to FASD but this is not enough.
https://osf.io/preprints/osf/
This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of Occupational Therapists (OTs) in child development units about dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the characteristics of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
https://research.aota.org/
Together, these findings indicate that third trimester AE disrupts mPFC-HPC oscillatory interactions and choice behaviors.
https://www.biorxiv.org/
The survey provided a valuable snapshot of the local CLA population which will support the commissioning of services. It highlighted the need for ongoing data capture of health issues. A particular spotlight was thrown on the lack of easily available information on PAE and a consistent diagnostic and management pathway for FASD.
https://adc.bmj.com/content/
Research on FASD prevalence varies widely between countries, highlighting the need for country-specific data to inform effective alcohol legislation. In Canada, prevalence estimates are outdated, necessitating an update.
https://library-archives.
It is crucial to routinely screen childbearing-age and pregnant women for alcohol and other substance use as well as mental health problems in order to prevent adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-
Maximizing the use of technology, employing flexibility in program delivery, and institutionalizing processes and protocols improved workflow, efficiency, and program reach.
https://journals.sagepub.com/
Tobacco and alcohol are the two most common substances used during pregnancy, and both can disrupt neurodevelopment, resulting in cognitive and behavioural deficits including language difficulties. Previous studies show that children with prenatal substance exposure exhibit microstructural alterations in major white matter pathways, though few studies have investigated the impact of prenatal substance exposure on white matter microstructure and language skills during the toddler years.
https://www.frontiersin.org/
The results suggest that moderate prenatal alcohol exposure does not have a considerable effect on retention of spatial information, but produces a general reduction in anxiety-like behaviors in the elevated plus-maze.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) refers to the exposure of the developing fetus due to alcohol consumption during pregnancy and can have life-long consequences for learning, behavior, and health.
https://www.frontiersin.org/
Despite longstanding recommendations, screening and intervention practices for substance use appear inconsistent. With the recent emergence of vaping, no evidence of updated approaches to identifying e-cigarette consumption in pregnant women was found.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
PCE effects on adolescent alcohol sipping are indirect and are confounded with maternal behaviors before and during pregnancy.
https://osf.io/preprints/
Restrictions on grocery store spirits sales and BAC laws were associated with lower and higher alcohol treatment admission rates among pregnant people, respectively, suggesting general population alcohol policies are relevant for pregnant people’s treatment utilization.
https://www.jsad.com/doi/abs/
There is a need for system modifications to assess multiple behaviors simultaneously and alert providers when a combination of behaviors increases a specific health risk, such as an AEP.
https://journals.sagepub.com/
This review assesses both the international prevalence of PAU obtained using meconium biomarkers in general maternity populations and, when feasible, the level of agreement between meconium biomarkers and self-reported PAU.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
FASD remains considerably under-researched. While there has been an increase in the number of original FASD research articles published annually over time, this is much lower than expected compared to publication trends for other neurodevelopmental conditions, and the wider scientific literature.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
This model provides new insights into the barriers and facilitators CAMHS clinicians experience when assessing and supporting CYP with probable or diagnosed FASD, highlighting key clinical implications.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
EUFASD & RESEARCH 28 July 2024
Heliyon – Development Deficiency of Oligodendrocyte and Myelination in the Central Nervous System of the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Mouse Model. Together, our data reveals the deficiency of oligodendrocyte development and myelination in the CNS of the FASD mouse model and the possible underlying mechanism, suggesting a potential therapy target for FASD. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4891867
University of California – The Effects of Parental Ethanol Exposure on Offspring Development. We propose that the effects of drinking alcohol during pregnancy or prior to conception may be more serious than previously thought as transgenerational effects were observed in the offspring even though they never consumed alcohol themselves. https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2j95p98c
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research – Trends in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) research: A bibliometric review of original articles published between 2000 – 2023. FASD remains considerably under-researched. While there has been an increase in the number of original FASD research articles published annually over time, this is much lower than expected compared to publication trends for other neurodevelopmental conditions, and the wider scientific literature. https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/trends-in-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-fasd-research-a-bibliom
Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics – Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in a Nigerian Infant: A Case Report
The syndrome is a leading cause of intellectual disability in the United States, but no such data is available in Nigeria. This is a report of a case of a term female neonate, delivered at approximately 38 weeks gestation through emergency Caesarean section. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/njp/article/view/274050
International Journal of Developmental Disabilities – The scope of supportive housing for adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a rapid review. Supportive housing programs for adults with FASD are sparse, and existing programs often fall short of addressing the holistic needs of these individuals. Future research prioritizing the lived and living experiences of adults accessing support, focusing on the effectiveness of specific support strategies, is warranted. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/20473869.2024.2380944
Scientific Reports – Alcohol consumption during pregnancy differentially affects the fecal microbiota of dams and offspring
These findings illuminate the potential importance of the microbiota in the pathophysiology of FASD and support investigation into novel microbiota-based interventions. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-64313-z
JMIR Mental Health – Technologies for Supporting Individuals and Caregivers Living With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Scoping Review
Technology could provide support for people affected by FASD; however, currently there is limited technology available, and the potential benefits are largely unexplored. https://mental.jmir.org/2024/1/e51074/
Klinika Oczna/Acta Ophthalmologica Polonica – Organ of vision in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Among the various factors affecting a child’s postnatal condition, including the function of the visual system, changes caused by fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are highly significant. https://www.klinikaoczna.pl/Narzad-wzroku-u-dzieci-obciazonych-spektrum-plodowych-zaburzen-alkoholowych,124,54441,1,0.html
Quality in Sport – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: a complex case of teratogenic effects of maternal alcohol consumption and clinical managment
This case report underscores the need for ongoing research and collaborative efforts to reduce the prevalence and impact of FASD on affected individuals and society. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/52107
Tobacco Induced Diseases – Increased risk for alcohol- and other substance-exposed pregnancies among women who smoke tobacco: A secondary analysis of a primary care-based intervention. Women who drink and smoke may have the highest AEP, TEP, and other SEP risk. Primary care providers should screen for alcohol and tobacco co-use and provide brief intervention and/or treatment referral.
https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Increased-risk-for-alcohol-and-other-substance-exposed-pregnancies-among-women-who,191107,0,2.html
JAMA pediatrics – Health Care Needs and Costs for Children Exposed to Prenatal Substance Use to Adulthood
Children who were exposed to substance use during pregnancy incurred more hospital costs than children who were not exposed up to 20 years of age, but this was reduced in association with any contact with out-of-home care. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2821473
Current Issues in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences – Knowledge of the sign prohibiting alcohol consumption during pregnancy among medical students in Poland – a survey study. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge referred to the meaning of the sign prohibiting alcohol consumption during pregnancy among first-year medical students who do not have vast knowledge at present level in this field.
https://sciendo.com/article/10.2478/cipms-2024-0015
EUFASD & Research 9 June 2024
Nature – Prenatal exposure to alcohol and its impact on reward processing and substance use in adulthood
Therefore, we conclude that even moderate exposure to alcohol prenatally has long-lasting effects on brain function during reward processing and risk of cannabis use in young adulthood. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-024-02941-9
SSRN – “People Talk About Fasd Diagnosis But Barely Any Young People are Asked About It”: Diagnosis Perspectives and Disability Identity in Adolescents with FASD. The views expressed by adolescents with FASD about the impact of the FASD diagnosis, and the disability identity process, were similar to other groups of young people with different neurodevelopmental and physical conditions.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4851299
Research in Developmental Disabilities – Positive behavior support (PBS) with children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Characterizing caregivers’ use of PBS using follow-up clinical trial data. This study is the first to characterize caregivers’ use of PBS strategies for children with FASD using mixed methods. Problem behaviors such as rule breaking were more difficult to target.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891422224001057
Children and Youth Services Review – ‘Trying differently’ towards improving school experiences: Systematically reviewing research on school experiences for students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their teachers. Key findings are discussed, and important recommendations are made for researchers, policymakers, and educators to address the longstanding gaps in research and practice regarding the complex care and support needs of those with FASD from an anti-oppressive, destigmatized, and holistic framework.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0190740924002962
Anatomy & Cell Biology – Alcohol intake during pregnancy reduces offspring bone epiphyseal growth plate chondrocyte proliferation through transforming growth factor β-1 inhibition in the Sprague Dawley rat humerus. Intrauterine alcohol exposure delays bone maturation and intensifies osteoporosis and fracture risk. As most studies emphasize the neurological aspects of intrauterine alcohol exposure, there is a lack of research on the implications pertaining to osseous tissue.
https://europepmc.org/article/med/38817052
International Journal of Molecular Sciences – Fetal Brain-Derived Exosomal miRNAs from Maternal Blood: Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs). Because several microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in other neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders, the effects of EtOH exposure on the expression of these miRNAs and their target genes and pathways were assessed.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/11/5826
Drug and Alcohol Review – Evaluation of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Hub Australia website. Users found the FASD Hub accessible, authoritative and useful and suggested improvements.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dar.13878
Behavioral Sciences – Effects of Developmental Timing on Cognitive and Behavioral Profiles in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Considerations for Education. This study aims to generate a profile of executive and behavioral functioning in children and adolescents diagnosed with FASD.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/14/6/431
Reproductive Toxicology – Contribution of ferritin and zinc to adverse infant outcomes among pregnancies with prenatal alcohol exposure in South Africa. Nutritional status during pregnancy can impact fetal development, yet less is known about how alcohol may interact with nutritional status to influence infant outcomes.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S089062382400073X
Duke University – Sociodemographic and Psychological Profiles of Pregnant Women Who Consume Alcohol in Moshi, Tanzania: A Latent Class Analysis. Understanding variations in alcohol use among unique subgroups of pregnant women is essential for the development of targeted interventions to alleviate the burden of alcohol use during pregnancy.
https://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/items/2511b4d4-ca56-4039-b1f8-5e29f92eef4c
UNC University Libraries – ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE AMONG AMERICAN INDIAN/ALASKA NATIVE BIRTHING PEOPLE: A MIXED METHODS STUDY OF PUNITIVE VERSUS TREATMENT STATE POLICIES AND COMMUNITY LEVEL RISK FACTORS.
The main research objective of this dissertation was to better understand the policy, predisposing and enabling factors related to prenatal alcohol and substance use among the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) birthing population in the United States.
https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/n009wd02d
Alcohol Clinical and Experimental Research – Prenatal ethanol and cannabis exposure have sex- and region-specific effects on somatostatin and neuropeptide Y interneurons in the rat hippocampus. These results illustrate how alcohol and cannabis exposure in utero may affect hippocampal function by altering inhibitory processes in a sex-specific manner. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15350
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica – Screening of substance use in pregnancy: A Danish cross-sectional study
Substance use among pregnant women consisted mainly of nicotine. Dipstick screening involved risks of false negatives and false positives.
https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/aogs.14862
Nutrient – Prenatal Exposures, Diagnostic Outcomes, and Life Experiences of Children and Youths with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Children and youths diagnosed with FASD may experience a range of adverse health and social outcomes. This cross-sectional study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of children and youths diagnosed with FASD between 2015 and 2018 at the Sunny Hill Centre in British Columbia, Canada and examined the relationships between prenatal substance exposures, FASD diagnostic categories, and adverse health and social outcomes.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/11/1655
EUFASD & Research 19 May 2024
Nature – Reduction of APOE accounts for neurobehavioral deficits in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. A hallmark of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is neurobehavioral deficits that still do not have effective treatment. Here, we present that reduction of Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is critically involved in neurobehavioral deficits in FASD. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-024-02586-6
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – Qualitative study of the lived experience of methylphenidate prescribed for children with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This study aims to explore the lived experience of children with FASD taking MPH and their caregivers to adapt prescribing modalities by considering different ways to administer the drugs. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00787-024-02457-z
Applied Neuropsychology: Child – An examination of executive functioning in adolescents with FASD in a self-regulation intervention
These findings highlight the potential of the SR intervention to positively impact EF in adolescents with FASD. This study contributes to the growing literature that demonstrates the potential of individuals with FASD to benefit from direct intervention.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/21622965.2024.2349301
Biomolecules – Risk and Resilience Variants in the Retinoic Acid Metabolic and Developmental Pathways Associated with Risk of FASD Outcomes. In this study, using a candidate gene approach, we performed a genetic variant analysis of retinoic acid (RA) metabolic and developmental signaling pathway genes on whole exome sequencing data of 23 FASD-diagnosed individuals.
https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/14/5/569
Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice – Innovating Services for Justice-Involved Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The In Reach Project
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a term describing the range of neurocognitive, physical, behavioral, and learning difficulties resulting from prenatal alcohol exposure. Individuals with FASD are at an increased risk, relative to those without FASD, for justice system involvement.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/24732850.2024.2349229
Journal of Affective Disorders – Prevalence of co-occurring diagnoses in people exposed to alcohol prenatally: Findings from a meta-analysis
Co-occurring diagnoses are extremely prevalent in people with PAE, with older individuals, females, and those diagnosed with FASD being most at risk for having a co-occurring disorder. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724007535
Series of endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism – Growth hormone therapy in a child with fetal alcohol syndrome: personal experience with literature review. GH therapy in children with FAS may lead to an improvement in growth rate and an increase in final height, although, this condition is not included in the specific recommendations for use of GH.
https://publicatt.unicatt.it/handle/10807/277277
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research – Influence of childhood trauma and traumatic stress on a woman’s risk of having a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. No direct influence of maternal childhood trauma on FASD diagnosis could be demonstrated. However, maternal trauma may indirectly contribute to the risk of having a child diagnosed with FASD.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15334
Frontiers in Neural Circuits – Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the olfactory system development
These findings suggest that the timing, duration, and extent of fetal alcohol exposure can yield diverse effects on olfactory system development.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncir.2024.1408187/full
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research – Lower resting state functional connectivity partially mediates adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on arithmetic performance in children. This study demonstrates PAE-related functional connectivity impairments in functional networks involved in number processing. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15332
medRxiv – Trends in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) research: a systematic scoping review and bibliometric analysis
We conducted a systematic scoping review and bibliometric analysis to describe trends in the volume and characteristics of original research on FASD published between 2000–2023 (Review 1). https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.04.29.24306557v1
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research – Current and ideal living arrangements and supports for Canadian adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Part II—Perspectives from caregivers. This study explores caregivers’ perspectives regarding living support needed by adults with FASD, which can inform support programs and housing services. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acer.15337
Children – The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders—An Overview of Experimental Models, Therapeutic Strategies, and Future Research Directions. Since the establishment of a clear link between maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and certain birth defects, the research into the treatment of FASD has become increasingly sophisticated. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/5/531
Social Work Education – Advancing social work curriculum to challenge FASD-related stigma and promote strengths-based family engagement
The need for professionals to become educated in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) has emerged as a critical topic in child and family settings.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02615479.2024.2320713
bioRxiv – Altered markers of brain metabolism and excitability are associated with executive functioning in young children exposed to alcohol in utero
Here, we present the first study of PAE-related brain metabolite differences in early childhood (ages 3-8 years) and their associations with cognitive performance, including executive functioning (EF) and pre-reading skills.
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.05.06.592786v1.abstract
Alcohol – The histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist SAR-152954 reverses deficits in long-term potentiation associated with moderate prenatal alcohol exposure. Previous work from our group demonstrated deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) of excitatory synapses on dentate gyrus granule cells in adult offspring of rat dams that consumed moderate levels of alcohol during pregnancy.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0741832924000636
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências – Neonatal outcomes associated with tobacco, alcohol, and crack use during pregnancy in three Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Our results underscore the substantial impact of maternal substance use on NICU-admitted infants, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions that address both neonatal health and maternal well-being, thereby underscoring the crucial role of comprehensive care in NICU settings. https://www.scielo.br/j/aabc/a/sBKLV9NP3krmDbmTpPtG7xB/?lang=en
Social Work in Public Health – Reporting on Health Care and Social Service Provider Approaches to Promoting Alcohol Abstinence During Pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to explore the current practices of HCPs and SSPs when discussing alcohol use during pregnancy, and to understand their rationale for their specific recommendations. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19371918.2024.2323136
BMC Public Health – Maternal smoking, consumption of alcohol, and caffeinated beverages during pregnancy and the risk of childhood brain tumors: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Maternal passive smoking, consumption of caffeinated beverages during pregnancy should be considered as risk factors for CBTs, especially glioma. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-024-18569-9
Frontiers in Pediatrics – Unveiling the Hidden Risk: Paternal Smoking and Alcohol Exposure Prior to Conception as Independent Factors for Allergic Rhinitis in Children. Paternal smoking and alcohol consumption prior to conception contribute to an increased risk of allergic rhinitis in children, with the risk being dependent on the dosage and duration of exposure. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2024.1394400/abstract
Disabilities – FASD: The Living Experience of People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder—Results of an Anonymous Survey
By surveying those with FASD, this work expanded upon prior survey work which illustrated a multitude of early-onset physiological issues occurring at rates much higher than is typical of the general population. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/4/2/22
EUFASD & Research 14 April 2024
Nature – Low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and neurodevelopment in a prospective cohort of early school aged childrenEvidence is strong for adverse
EUFASD & Research News 25 March 2024
University of New Mexico – Elevation of miR-150-5p in Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells as a result of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure is Mediated by
05 Mar 2023
Test
Research – EUFASD News 11 Feb 2024
Advances in Pediatric Research – Washington and Alaska Statewide Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinical Networks: Comparison of Three Decades of 4-Digit Code
26 Nov 2023
Windsor Yearbook of Access to Justice – Bound by Blame: Sentencing, Colonialism, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderGladue and Ipeelee send important messages to
12 Nov 2023
Gladue and Ipeelee send important messages to judges, but messages that have tensions within them that reflect the broader tensions of using