What percentage of Americans have fetal alcohol syndrome?

Recent prevalence studies estimate that approximately 1 to 5 percent of U.S. first-grade children have FASD. Historically, medical professionals did not recognize the risks posed by alcohol use during pregnancy.

What country has the highest rate of babies born with FASD?

Of 187 countries, South Africa was estimated to have the highest prevalence of FASD at 111.1 per 1000 population (95\% CI, 71.1-158.4 per 1000 population), followed by Croatia at 53.3 per 1000 population (95\% CI, 30.9-81.2 per 1000 population) and Ireland at 47.5 per 1000 population (95\% CI, 28.0-73.6 per 1000 …

What state in the United States has the highest rate of babies born with FASD?

The tragedy caused by fetal exposure to alcohol is 100\% preventable. According to the Alaska Maternal and Child Health Data Book, the rate of children being born with FASD in Alaska is 112.9 for every 10,000 live births. being diagnosed with FASD every year.

What are the chances of having a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome?

If you drink any amount of alcohol during pregnancy, your baby may be born with FASDs. FASDs may cause problems for your baby at birth and later in life. Up to 1 in 20 children (about 5 percent) in the United States may have FASDs. Alcohol passes from your bloodstream through the placenta to your baby.

Which group has the highest risk for having a child with FAS?

Women who often binge drink or drink heavily in the three months prior to becoming pregnant tend to be at a higher risk of having a child with FASD. Studies have shown that many of these women use contraceptives less regularly and seek prenatal care later than their non-drinking counterparts.

Why is FAS so widespread in South Africa?

The high prevalence of FASD recorded in South Africa has been attributed, in part, to the historical drinking culture driven by a system known as the ‘dop system’, whereby farmworkers’ wages were paid in alcoholic beverages [7, 8].

How many births does FAS affect in the US per year?

Some experts estimate that approximately 40,000 babies may be born with an FASD in the United States each year. Based on studies of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others, it is estimated that in the United States, somewhere between 800 and 8,000 babies could be born each year with FAS.

How common is FASD in Canada?

It is estimated that in Canada, more than 3,000 babies a year are born with FASD, and about 300,000 people are currently living with it. Research suggests that the occurrence of FASD is significantly greater in Aboriginal populations, and in rural, remote and northern communities.

Does FAS cause mental retardation?

Today, FAS remains the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation (3). Behavioral and neurological problems associated with prenatal alcohol exposure may lead to poor academic performance as well as legal and employment difficulties in adolescence and adulthood (4).

How do you diagnose FAS?

To diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome, doctors look for unusual facial features, lower-than-average height and weight, small head size, problems with attention and hyperactivity, and poor coordination. They also try to find out whether the mother drank while they were pregnant and if so, how much.

What are the different types of FASD diagnoses?

Different FASD diagnoses are based on particular symptoms and include: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): FAS represents the most involved end of the FASD spectrum. People with FAS have central nervous system (CNS) problems, minor facial features, and growth problems.

How much does it cost to live with FASD?

The lifetime cost for one individual with FAS in 2002 was estimated to be $2 million. This is an average for people with FAS and does not include data on people with other FASDs. People with severe problems, such as profound intellectual disability, have much higher costs.

What are fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs)?

Related Pages. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects can include physical problems and problems with behavior and learning. Often, a person with an FASD has a mix of these problems.

What are FASDs and how can they be prevented?

FASDs are preventable if a woman does not drink alcohol during pregnancy. FASDs refer to the whole range of effects that can happen to a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These conditions can affect each person in different ways, and can range from mild to severe.