NASADAD
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc.

 

State Issue Brief No. 2



Alcohol Research on Prenatal Alcohol Exposure,

Prevention, and Implications for State AOD Systems

 


 

INTRODUCTION

This is the second in a series of State Issue Briefs prepared by the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) primarily for distribution to State Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Agencies through support from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). These Briefs are unique in that they are not intended to be a comprehensive review of the science around a topic but rather a compilation of selected findings in an area and an exploration of the implications for administrators of AOD treatment systems.

 


BACKGROUND



At an April 2004 meeting sponsored by the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS), experts from the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and NOFAS adopted the term “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)” to describe the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications. The term FASD is not intended for use as a clinical diagnosis. Rather, it is an umbrella term that encompasses the broad effects of prenatal alcohol exposure beyond the discrete diagnostic criteria for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or other defined disorders caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.

All Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are completely preventable – they do not occur among children born to women who abstain from alcohol during pregnancy. At this time there is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, and the amount and timing of alcohol consumption affects the severity and type of damage to the fetus. Structural damage to the central nervous system (CNS), leading to growth deficiency, facial defects, and neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems, occurs in some proportion of children who are exposed to alcohol before birth. These problems include reduced intellectual, cognitive, and motor functioning, as well as mental health problems and other deficits (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). The total lifetime cost of FASD – for treatment, lost productivity, and other societal costs -- has been estimated at about $2 million per affected individual (Lupton et al., 2004).

To help protect children from alcohol-related problems, all women should be made aware of the consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy. In addition, researchers, treatment professionals, and prevention practitioners must work together to develop prevention strategies that effectively target women at different levels of risk for alcohol use during pregnancy. Strategies for identifying and treating "high risk" women, for example, especially alcohol-abusing women who have had FAS children, need to be expanded. The effectiveness of various prevention interventions must be further evaluated so that the most beneficial ones can be identified for broad application. State AOD systems are in a unique position to support the adoption and expansion of effective and promising prevention and intervention approaches to reduce the consequences of prenatal exposure to alcohol, but evidence-based practices to achieve that end are still in short supply.


DEFINITIONS AND DIAGNOSES



The terminology used to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure has changed over time (Hoyme et al., 2005). The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, however, namely growth deficiency, CNS abnormalities, behavioral and/or cognitive developmental disorders, and characteristic facial defects, remain the same.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) describes a set of physical, mental, and neurobehavioral birth defects associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Characteristic physical effects include small eye openings, low nasal bridge, short nose, small midface, thin upper lip, indistinct philtrum, skin folds at the corner of the eye, and small head circumference.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academy of Sciences developed a classification system to describe the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (Stratton et al., 1996) that includes three separate FAS categories, each of which uses different combinations of FAS facial effects, confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure, additional criteria on growth retardation, and CNS abnormalities, as well as evidence of behavioral or cognitive developmental disorder. Two additional categories in the IOM classification scheme are: Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder (ARND) and Alcohol Related Birth Defects (ARBD). ARND refers to the same defects that are seen in FAS, with the exception of FAS facial effects and growth retardation. ARBD includes physical birth defects associated with maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy.


PREVALENCE



Prevalence is the proportion of a population that is affected with a particular disease. Researchers try to gauge the full extent of fetal alcohol problems by determining prevalence rates of FAS, ARND, and ARBD, through several kinds of studies.

In passive surveillance, researchers review multiple records to gather information on the number of diagnosed cases in a particular time frame and geographic area. Clinic-based studies involve collecting information from women during pre- and postnatal visits to health clinics, while active case ascertainment involves outreach efforts to find and recruit FAS children within a population being studied. A review of recent studies concluded that the overall prevalence of FAS in the United States is likely to be between 0.5 and 2.0 per 1,000 births (May & Gossage, 2001). Other studies estimate that 10 of every 1,000 babies will be born with either FAS, ARBD, or ARND (Abel, 1995, 1998; Sampson et al., 1997).

EFFECTS OF PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE



Early research concluded that prenatal alcohol exposure produced widespread, or global, damage to the developing brain (Clarren, 1986). More recent studies, however, have demonstrated that prenatal alcohol damages specific areas of the brain. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to view the brains of children with FAS, these studies have shown that brain areas that regulate movement and cognitive processes related to attention, perception, thinking, and memory are particularly sensitive to prenatal alcohol exposure while other areas are not affected, and that overall brain size is reduced in children with FAS (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000).

Studies have shown that alcohol exposure at different times during pregnancy damages different parts of the fetal brain and other organs (Coles, 1994; Goodlett & Johnson, 1999; Maier et al., 1996). The pattern of maternal drinking influences the extent of the damage. Binge drinking appears to be particularly harmful (Goodlett et al., 1997, 1998). Additionally, the harmful effects of alcohol may be enhanced by the use of tobacco and other drugs and by certain physiological characteristics of the mother (Abel & Hannigan, 1995; Maier et al., 1996; Phillips et al., 1989; Polache et al., 1996; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000).

In addition to structural brain damage, prenatal alcohol exposure leads to developmental deficits in learning and memory, attention, and other cognitive functions, as well as problems with motor control, mental health, and psychosocial behavior in children with FAS and ARND.

Scientists have not established the minimum amount of alcohol needed to produce harmful effects in exposed children (Roebuck et al., 1999). Clearly, the safest approach is to completely avoid alcohol during pregnancy.

Indeed, in view of the expanding scientific evidence that prenatal alcohol use causes a wide range of harmful effects, the U.S Surgeon General released an Advisory in February 2005 urging women who are or may become pregnant to abstain from alcohol. The Advisory also calls on health professionals to routinely ask women of childbearing age about alcohol use and to inform them of the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The 2005 Advisory updated a 1981 Surgeon General’s Advisory that called for pregnant women to avoid alcoholic beverages and to be aware of the alcoholic content of foods and drugs.


PREVENTION APPROACHES



Since all fetal alcohol problems are preventable, finding effective ways to help women at all levels of risk refrain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy is a top priority. A variety of approaches have been developed and used thus far, including:

1) comprehensive and coordinated treatment, in which a case manager helps a woman obtain social, medical, referral, outreach, and family support, as well as counseling services. Finkelstein (1993) found that this can be an effective approach for high-risk women.

2) the public health approach, which incorporates three levels of interventions along a prevention continuum:
An Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee to Study Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has recommended three prevention approaches – each corresponding to a different level of risk for drinking during pregnancy (Stratton et al., 1996).

EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTION APPROACHES



The universal prevention approach is thought to be an effective way to make women aware of the adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Messages are delivered through a variety of sources such as radio, television, printed material, and on labels on alcoholic beverages (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). For example, the NIAAA and the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) conducted a two-year pilot program that targeted African American women of child bearing age in Washington DC and sent the message, “Play it safe. Alcohol and pregnancy don’t mix,” through media messages, special events, and community activities (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2002). Most women reduce their drinking or abstain from drinking when they become pregnant (Kaskutas & Graves, 1994). Several studies show that labels on alcoholic beverages have a positive effect on women who are light drinkers but not on women who are heavy drinkers, and that a similar positive effect is produced by warning signs on buses and billboards (Fitzgerald, 1988; Hankin, 1994; Hankin et al., 1993, 1996; Little et al., 1981, 1984, 1985; Weiner et al., 1989). Other research has shown that screening alone can reduce drinking among some pregnant women (Whalen & O’Connor, 2003). Women who drink heavily and have been drinking for a long time, and become pregnant demonstrate the smallest amount of change in drinking patterns (Serdula et al., 1991; Smith et al., 1987).

Selective prevention approaches that address prenatal alcohol concerns, target special populations, and include non-treatment interventions have been widely used. Few, however, have been adequately evaluated for effectiveness (Stratton et al., 1996; National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). Women who have an increased risk of having alcohol-impaired children may be identified through the use of screening procedures in primary care and prenatal care clinics (Chang et al., 1997; Hankin & Sokol, 1995; Harwell et al., 1996; Kaskutas, 1996; Loneck et al., 1997) and their readiness to change should be assessed (Kaskutas, 1996). NIAAA has supported the development of computer-assisted screening instruments, and a number of studies have shown the utility of this approach. Commonly used screening instruments such as the CAGE, T-ACE, TWEAK, and MAST may be less accurate in some populations of women than in others (Bradley et al., 1998; Ewing, 1984; Sokol et al., 1989; Selzer, 1971; Chan et al., 1993). Therefore, reliable screening instruments for women of childbearing age who may have drinking problems are an important area for research and development (Chang et al., 1998). Interventions that could be offered to such women might include providing educational materials and conducting a brief counseling session.

Indicated prevention approaches have been designed to reach women at highest risk for alcohol-exposed pregnancy – those who are heavy drinkers, pregnant, and who may already have a child diagnosed with FASD. Little is known, however, about the effectiveness of these programs (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000). Low socio-economic urban areas (Abel, 1995) and high-risk American Indian communities have the highest rates of FASD (Duimstra et al., 1993; May, 1991; Qaid et al., 1993; Robinson et al., 1987). Indicated prevention strategies include:

IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AOD PREVENTION AND TREATMENT SYSTEMS


Virtually all States have programs in place to address at least some aspects of FASD reduction. Some of these initiatives -- warning labels on alcohol beverage bottles and mandatory warnings posted in alcohol outlets, for example -- lie outside the purview of the State AOD Agency. For the most part, however, FASD reduction activities at the State level can be directly attributable to the action of State AOD Agencies and their provider networks. In a significant number of States, efforts to reduce FASD encompass programs across the entire continuum of primary prevention, early intervention, and treatment.

The actual practices incorporated in State level FASD programming have seldom been rigorously evaluated and, in some cases, have not been reviewed recently for content, extent of desired coverage attained, appropriateness of implementation, or to determine if there are service gaps along the continuum.
State AOD Agencies may wish to consider:

FUTURE RESEARCH



More FASD reduction research is needed (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2000) to advance the current state of knowledge and to arm State systems with interventions that are demonstrably efficient and effective. Key elements for future FASD prevention research include: refining prevalence estimates; precisely articulating social and medical risk factors; obtaining further information on the role of the male partner in reducing risk; developing accurate instruments for identifying high-risk women; and expanding community trials (May, 1996). Specific topics for further study might include:
    • Matching effective therapies with subtypes of women (Loneck et al., 1997; Peterson & Lowe, 1992);
    NIAAA encourages research that provides comparative information on new interventions and existing practices. Such information helps State-level decision-makers allocate resources and also helps to promote the timely dissemination and adoption of research-based FASD interventions.
REFERENCES




Abel, E.L. An update on incidence of FAS: FAS is not an equal opportunity birth defect. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 17(4):437-443, 1995.

Abel, E.L. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: The American paradox. Alcohol and Alcoholism 33(3):195-201, 1998.
Abel, E.L., and Hannigan, HJ.H. Maternal risk factors in fetal alcohol syndrome: Provocative and permissive influences. Neurotoxicology and Teratology 17(4):448462, 1995.

Bacon, F.S. Counseling aspects of alcohol use in pregnancy: Beyond primary prevention. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 5(3-4):257-267, 1988.

Bradley, K. A.; Boyd-Wickizer, J.; Powell, S.H.; and Burman, M.L. Alcohol screening questionnaires in women: A critical review. Journal of the American Medical Association 280(2):166-171, 1998.

Chan, A.W.; Pristach, E.A.; Welte, J.W.; and Russell,
M. Use of the TWEAK test in screening for alcoholism/heavy drinking in three populations.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research


Chang, G.; Behr, H.; Goetz, M.A.; Hile, A.; and Bigby,
J. Women and alcohol abuse in primary care: Identification and intervention. American Journal on
Addictions 6(3):183-192, 1997.

Chang, G.; Wilkins-Haug, L.; Berman, S.; Goetz, M.A.;
Behr, H.; and Hiley, A. Alcohol use and pregnancy:
Improving identification. Obstetrics and Gynecology 91:892
898, 1998.

Clarren, S.K. Neuropathology in fetal alcohol syndrome. In: West, J.R., ed. Alcohol and Brain Development. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1986. Pp.158-166.

Coles, C. Critical periods for prenatal alcohol exposure: Evidence from animal and human studies. Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Health and Research World 18:22-29, 1994.

Davis, J.H. and Frost, W.A. Fetal alcohol syndrome: A challenge for the community health nurse. Journal of Community Health Nursing 1(2):99-110, 1984.

Duimstra, C.; Johnson, D.; Kutsch, C.; Wang, B.; Zentner, M.; Kellerman, S.; and Welty, T. A FAS surveillance pilot project in American Indian communities in the Northern Plains. Public Health Report 108(2):225-29, 1993.

Ewing, J.A. Detecting alcoholism: The CAGE questionnaire. Journal of the American Medical Association 252(14):19051907, 1984.

Finkelstein, N. Treatment programming for alcohol and drug-dependent pregnant women. International Journal of the Addictions 28(13):1275-1309, 1993.

Fitzgerald, P. FAS persists despite broad public awareness. Michigan Medicine 87(5):262-268, 1988.

Goodlett, C.R., and Johnson, T.B. Temporal windows of vulnerability to alcohol during the third trimester equivalent: Why “knowing when” matters. In: Hannigan, J.H; Spear, L.P.; Spear, N.E.; and Goodlett, C.R., eds. Alcohol and Alcoholism: Effects on Brain and Development. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1999. pp.59-91.

Goodlett, C.R.; Pearlman, A.D.; and Lundahl, K.R. Binge neonatal alcohol intubations induce dose-dependent loss of Purkinje cells. Neurtoxicology and Teratology 20(3):285-292, 1998.

Goodlett, C.R.; Peterson, S.D.; Lundahl, K.L.; and Pearlman, A.D. Binge-like alcohol exposure of neonatal rats via intragastric intubation induces both Purkinje cell loss and cortical astrogliosis. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 21(6):1010-1017, 1997.

Handmaker, N.S., and Wilbourne, P. Motivational Interventions in Prenatal Clinics. Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Research and Health 25(3):219-299, 2000.

Hankin, J.R. FAS prevention strategies: Active and passive measures. Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Health and Research World 18(1):62-66, 1994.

Hankin, J.R., and Sokol, R.J. Identification and care of problems associated with alcohol ingestion in pregnancy. Semin Perinatol 19(4):286-292, 1995.

Hankin, J.R.; Sloan, J.J.; Firestone, I.J.; Ager, J.W.; Sokol, R.J.; and Martier, S.S. A time series analysis of the impact of the alcohol warning label on antenatal drinking. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 17(2):284-289, 1993.

Hankin, J.R.; Firestone, I.J.; Sloan, J.J.; Ager, J.W; Sokol, R.J.; and Martier, S.S. Heeding the alcoholic beverage warning label during pregnancy: Multiparae versus nulliparae. Journal of the Study of Alcohol 57(2):171-177, 1996.
Harwell, T.S.; Spence, M.R.; Sands, A.; and Iguchi,

M.Y. Substance use in an inner-city family planning population. Journal of Reproductive Medicine 41(9):704710, 1996.
Hoyme, H.E.; May, P.A.; Kalberg, W.O.; Kodituwakku, P.; Gossage, J.P.; Trujillo, P.M.; Buckley, D.G.; Miller, J.H.; Aragon, A.S.; Khaole, N.; Viljoen, D.L.; Jones, K.L.; and Robinson, L.K. A Practical Clinical Approach to Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: Clarification of the 1996 Institute of Medicine Criteria. Pediatrics 115:39-47, 2005.

Jessup, M., and Green, J.R. Treatment of the pregnant alcohol-dependent women. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 19(2):193-203, 1987.

Kaskutas, L.A. Pathways to self-help among women for sobriety. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 22(2):259-280, 1996.

Kaskutas, L.A., and Graves, K. Relationship between cumulative exposure to health messages and awareness and behavior-related drinking during pregnancy. American Journal of Health Promotion 9(2):115-124, 1994.

Klein, D., and Zahnd, E. Perspectives of pregnant substance-abusing women: Findings from the California Perinatal Needs Assessment. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 19(1):5566, 1997.

Little, R.E.; Grathwohl, H.L.; Streissguth, A.P.; and McIntyre,
C. Public awareness and knowledge about the risks of drinking during pregnancy in Multnomah County,
Oregon. American Journal of Public Health 71(3):312-314, 1981.

Little R.E.; Streissguth, A.P.; Guzinski, G.M.; Uhl, C.N.; Paulozzi, L.; Mann, S.L.; Young, A.; Clarren, S.K.; and Grathwohl, H.L. An evaluation of the pregnancy and health program. The Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Health and Research World 10:44-53, 71,75, 1985.

Little, R.E.; Young, A.; and Streissguth. A.P. Preventing fetal alcohol effects: Effectiveness of a demonstration project. In: Mechanisms of Alcohol Damage in Utero. London, UK: Pitman, 1984. Pp.254-283.

Loneck, B.; Garrett, J.; and Banks, S.M. Engaging and retaining women in outpatient alcohol and other drug treatment: The effect of referral intensity. Health and Social Work 22(1):38-46, 1997.

Lupton, C.; Burd, L.; and Harwood R. Cost of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Am J Med Genet 127C:42–50, 2004.

Maier, S.E.; Chen, W.; and West, J.R. The effects of timing and duration of alcohol exposure on development of the fetal brain. In: Abel, E.L., ed. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: From Mechanism to Prevention. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1996. pp. 27-50.

Masis, K.B., and May, P.A. A comprehensive local program for the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Public Health Report 106(5):484-489,1991.

May, P.A. A multiple-level comprehensive approach to the prevention of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD). International Journal of the Addiction 30:1549-1602, 1995.

May, P.A. Fetal alcohol effects among North American Indians: Evidence and implications for society. The Journal
of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcohlism, Alcohol Health and Research World 25(3):239-248, 1991.

May, P.A. Research issues in the prevention of FAS and ARBD. In: Howard, J.M.; Martin, S.E.; Mail, P.D.; Hilton, M.E.; and Taylor, E.D., eds. Women and Alcohol: Issues for Prevention Research. NIAAA Research Monograph 32. NIH Pub. No. 96-3817. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1996. pp. 93-131.

May, P.A., and Gossage, J.P. Estimating the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A summary. The Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Research and Health 25(3):159-167, 2001.

Meyers, R.J.; Dominguez, T.P.; and Smith, J.E. Community reinforcement approach training with concerned others. In: Van Hasselt, V.D., and Hersen, J. Source Book of Psychological Treatment Manuals for Adult Disorders. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1996. pp. 157
294.

Meyers, R.J., and Smith, J.E. Clinical Guide to Alcohol Treatment: The Community Reinforcement Approach, New York, NY: Guilford Press, 1995.

Miller, W.R., and Rollnick, S. Motivational Interviewing: Preparing People to Change Addictive Behavior. New York, NY: Guilford Press, 1991.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. NIAAA and NOFAS Launch Awareness Campaign in District of Columbia. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIAAA News Release, Washington, DC, March, 2002.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 10th Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health, NIH Pub No. 00-1583. Bethesda, MD: National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2000. (Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol, Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Effects on Brain Structure and Functions, Underlying Mechanisms of Alcohol-Induced Damage to the Fetus, Issues in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention, 285 – 338.)

Peterson, P.L., and Lowe, J.B. Preventing Fetal Alcohol Exposure: A cognitive behavioral approach. International Journal of Addiction 27(5), 613-626, 1992.

Phillips, D.K.; Henderson, G.I.; and Schenker, S. Pathogenesis of fetal alcohol syndrome. Journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Alcohol Health and Research World 13:219-227, 1989.

Polache, A.; Martin-Algarra, R.V.; and Guerri, C. Effects of chronic alcohol consumption on enzyme activities and active methionine absorption in the small intestine of pregnant rats. Alcoholism: Clinical and
Experimental Research 20(7):1237-1242, 1996.

Quaid, J.; Kirkpatrick, J.; Nakamura; and Aase, J. Establishing the occurrence of FAS/FAE in a rural community. IHS Provider 18(4):71-75, 1993.

Robinson, G.C.; Conry, J.L.; and Conry, R.F. Clinical profile and prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in an isolated community in British Columbia. Canadian Medical Association Journal 137:203-207, 1987.

Roebuck, T.M.; Mattson, S.N.; and Riley, E.P. Behavioral and psychosocial profiles of alcohol-exposed children. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research 23(6):10701076, 1999.

Rosett, H.L., and Weiner, L. Identifying and treating pregnant patients at risk from alcohol. Canadian Medical Association Journal 125:149-154, 1981.

Rossett, H.L.; Weiner, L; and Edelin, K.C. Strategies for prevention of fetal alcohol effects. Obstetrics and Gynecology 57(1):1-7, 1981.

Sampson, P.D.; Streissguth, A.P.; Bookstern, F.L.; Little, R.E.; Clarren, S.K.; Dehanne, P.; et al. Incidence of FAS and prevalence of ARND. Teratology 56: 317-326, 1997.

Selzer, M.L. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test: The quest for a new diagnostic instrument. American Journal of Psychiatry 127(12):1653-1658, 1971.

Serdula, M.; Williamson, D.F.; Kendrick, J.S.; Anda, R.F.; and Byers, T. Trends in alcohol consumption by pregnant women: 1985-1988. Journal of the American Medical Association 265(7):876-879, 1991.

Smith, I.E.: Lancaster, J.S.; Moss-Wells, S.; Coldes, C.D.; and Falek, A. Identifying high-risk pregnant drinkers: Biological and behavioral correlates of continuous heavy drinking during pregnancy. Journal of the Study of Alcoholism 48(4):304-309, 1987.
Sokol, R.J.; Martier, S.; and Ager, J.W. The T-ACE questions: Practical prenatal detection of risk-drinking. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 160(4): 863870, 1989.

Stratton, K.; Howe, C.; and Battaglia, F., eds. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1996.

Weiner, L.; Morse, B.A.; and Garrido, P. FAS/FAE: Focusing prevention on women at risk. International Journal of Addiction 24(5):385-395, 1989.

Whaley, S.E. and, O'Connor, M.J. Increasing the report of alcohol use among low-income pregnant women. Am J Health Promot 17(6):369-72, 2003.


About the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)


The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. NIAAA also provides leadership in the national effort to reduce the severe and other fatal consequences of these problems.

NIAAA is one of 27 Institutes and Centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the principal biomedical research agency of the Federal Government, charged with uncovering new knowledge that will lead to better health for everyone. NIH is a component of the Public Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services.


Visit the NIAAA website at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov

 

About the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, Inc. (NASADAD)



NASADAD is a private not-for-profit educational, scientific, and informational organization that was established in Washington, D.C. in 1971 to represent Directors of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Agencies. NASADAD’s basic purpose is to foster and support the development of effective alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment programs throughout every State. NASADAD serves as a focal point for the examination of alcohol and other drug related issues of common interest for both State and Federal Agencies.


Visit the NASADAD website at http://www.nasadad.org


NASADAD
808 17th Street NW, Suite 410
Washington, DC 20006
Telephone: 202-293-0090
Fax: 202-293-1250

Prepared by Kathleen Nardini and Robert Anderson at the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors Inc. (NASADAD), for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). NASADAD is solely responsible for the content and recommendations herein.