Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders

2010

Mary O'Connor
[email protected]
310-206-6528

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. This report reviews evidence supporting alcohol screening and brief intervention as an effective approach to reducing problem drinking and alcohol exposed pregnancy that can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. In addition, this article highlights a recent report of the National Task Force on FAS and Fetal Alcohol Effect that describes effective interventions to reduce alcohol use and alcohol exposed pregnancy, and outlines recommendations on promoting and improving these strategies.

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

Professionals

N/A