Beyond the Brain: The Physical Health and Whole-Body Impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
A growing body of evidence suggests that individuals with PAE/FASD may experience comorbidities relating to metabolism; body composition; cardio-renal, immune, and/or reproductive health; as well as hearing, vision, and sleep difficulties. These findings support the concept of FASD as a whole-body diagnosis
Prenatal alcohol exposure and health at midlife: Self-reported health outcomes in two cohorts
The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Hypothesis (DOHaD) suggests prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) should have implications for adult physical and mental health. Since the health profile of older adults with PAE and diagnoses of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is unknown, the current study evaluates self-reported health problems of midlife adults with and without a history of PAE to describe these outcomes.
Sensory Processing and FASD
Even though families and individuals with FASD often talk about sensory differences, researchers haven’t studied them much, especially across the lifespan. CanFASD wrote an issue paper to summarize what we do know about sensory issues in people with FASD and what still needs more research.
From Placenta to Brain: Alcohol’s Impact on Development
A new study from the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) looks at how prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) changes placental metabolism and what that means for fetal brain development.
An updated systematic review of the literature on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the criminal legal system
This updated review identified 54 studies (2017–2024) on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and the criminal legal system—more than double the 2018 review. Most research, from Canada and Australia, highlights growing knowledge but ongoing gaps in interventions, outcomes, and socio-cultural factors. Future research priorities are outlined.
The Potential for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention of a Harmonized Approach to Data Collection about Alcohol Use in Pregnancy Cohort Studies
Research article making recommendations for data collection about women’s alcohol use by future pregnancy cohorts, related to the frequency and quantity of alcohol consumed, the number of drinks consumed on an occasion, any alcohol consumption before pregnancy, changes in use since pregnancy recognition, and the quit date.
The Efficacy of Warning Labels on Alcohol Containers for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention
Alcohol warning labels should be used in conjunction with other approaches as part of a comprehensive FASD prevention strategy to better promote behavioural change.
Teaching Students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Building Strengths, Creating Hope
Document to help educators who have students with FASD. (182 pages)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) – (in french)
FASD research; FASD behaviours and social skills; support for parents. Caution: uses older diagnostic terms (75 pages)
State-of-the-Art Review of Transition Planning Tools for Youth with FASD in Canada
Research article on transition planning tools developed across Canada and provides analysis for issues to consider for individuals with FASD (37 pages)
SIGN 156 Guideline – Children and young people exposed prenatally to alcohol
This guideline developed in Scotland provides evidence-based recommendations on measurement of alcohol consumption in pregnancy and consensus-based recommendations on various aspects of identification and management of FASD.
Review of Transition Planning Tools for Youth with FASD in Canada
The intent of this research was to evaluate the current transition planning tools available and provide recommendations from this evaluation to better support youth with FASD and their families through this process. (2020)
