NOFAS Alabama

05/05/2020

Asymmetry: A Neurobiological Marker of Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in Young Adults Jennifer Willforda, Richard Dayb, Howard Aizensteina, and Nancy Daya of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
b Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh
PA 15213, USA
Abstract
This study identified structural changes in the caudate nucleus in offspring of mothers who drank moderate levels of alcohol during pregnancy. In addition, the effect of duration of alcohol use during
pregnancy was assessed. Young adults were recruited from the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project. Three groups were evaluated: prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) during all three trimesters (3T), PAE during the first trimester only (1T), and controls with no PAE (0T). Magnetic resonance images were processed using the automated labeling pathway technique. Volume was measured as the number (gray + white) and relative percentage (caudate count/whole brain count × 100) of voxels. Asymmetry was calculated by subtracting the caudate volume on the left from the right and dividing by the total (L−R/L+R). Data analyses controlled for gender, handedness, and prenatal to***co and ma*****na exposures. There were no significant differences between the groups for whole brain, left, or right volumes. There was a dose-response effect across the three exposure groups both in terms of magnitude and direction of asymmetry. In the 3T group, the left caudate was larger relative to the right caudate compared to the 0T group. The average magnitude of caudate asymmetry for the 1T group was intermediate between the 0T and 3T groups. Subtle anatomical changes in the caudate are detected at the moderate end of the spectrum of prenatal alcohol exposure.

04/21/2020

Epidemiology of FASD in a Province in Italy: Prevalence
and Characteristics of Children in a Random Sample of
Schools
Philip A. May, Daniela Fiorentino, J. Phillip Gossage, Wendy O. Kalberg, H. Eugene Hoyme,
Luther K. Robinson, Giovanna Coriale, Kenneth Lyons Jones, Miguel del Campo, Luigi
Tarani, Marina Romeo, Piyadasa W. Kodituwakku, Luca Deiana, David Buckley, and Mauro Ceccanti

Background: Accurate estimates of the prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in a Western European population are lacking and are of particular interest in settings where the usual pattern of alcohol consumption is thought to
be daily drinking with meals. To address these issues, an epidemiology study of FAS and other FASD was undertaken in Italian schools.

Methods: Primary schools (n 525) in 2 health districts of the Lazio region were randomly selected and recruited for the study. Five hundred forty-three children, 50% of those enrolled in first-grade classes, received parental permission to participate in a 2-tiered, active case ascertainment screening process. Detailed evaluation of children selected in a preliminary screening phase was carried out on
those who were small for height, weight, and head circumference and/or referred by teachers for suspected learning and behavioral problems. Detailed evaluation was carried out on each child’s:
(1) physical growth and dysmorphology, (2) psychological development and behavior, and (3) prenatal exposure to alcohol and other risk factors for FASD via maternal interviews. A group of 67 randomly selected children without FASD from the same classes was utilized as a comparison group.

Results: Using 2 denominators for prevalence estimation, a conservative one and a strict samplebased estimate, the prevalence of FAS in this province of Italy was 3.7 to 7.4 per 1,000 children. When cases of partial FAS (PFAS) and a case of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental deficits (ARND) were
added to FAS cases, the rate of FASD was 20.3 to 40.5 per 1,000 and estimated at 35 per 1,000 overall or between 2.3 and 4.1% of all children. This exceeds previously published estimates of both FAS and FASD for the western world. Detailed data are presented that demonstrate the utility of the guidelines of the revised Institute of Medicine diagnostic criteria for FASD. Children with FASD are significantly
more impaired/affected (po0.05) than randomly selected comparison children on all measures of growth
deficiency, key facial features of FASD, overall dysmorphology scores, language comprehension, nonverbal IQ, and behavior. Maternal reports of current drinking were significantly higher for mothers of FASD children than comparison mothers, but reported rates of overall drinking during pregnancy were not significantly different. In contrast to expectations, daily drinking among mothers of the comparison group was not common. However, dysmorphology scores of the children were significantly correlated with drinking in the second and third trimesters, drinks per current drinking day, and current drinks per
month. Finally, children with the physical features of FASD had lower IQs; nonverbal IQ was significantly correlated with head circumference and negatively correlated with overall dysmorphology score, smooth philtrum, and several other facial and physical anomalies characteristic of FAS.
Conclusions: Using careful measures of ascertainment in a primary school setting, these results provide relatively high estimates of the prevalence of FASD and raise the question of whether FASD is more common in the western world than previously estimated.

Keywords: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

04/21/2020

Effects of Prenatal To***co, Alcohol and Ma*****na Exposure on
Processing Speed, Visual-Motor Coordination, and
Interhemispheric Transfer

Jennifer A. Willforda, Lynette S. Chandlerb, Lidush Goldschmidtc, and Nancy L. DayaaDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA University of Puget Sound and Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Pittsburgh,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA cWestern Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA,
15213, USA
Abstract
Deficits in motor control are often reported in children with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Less is known about the effects of prenatal to***co exposure (PTE) and prenatal ma*****na exposure (PME) on motor coordination, and previous studies have not considered whether PTE, PAE, and
PME interact to affect motor control. This study investigated the effects of PTE, PAE, and PME as well as current drug use on speed of processing, visual-motor coordination, and interhemispheric transfer in 16-year-old adolescents.

Data were collected as part of the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project. Adolescents (age 16, n=320) participating in a longitudinal study of the effects of prenatal substance exposure on developmental outcomes were evaluated in this study. The computerized Bimanual Coordination Test (BCT) was used to assess each domain of function. Other important variables, such as demographics, home environment, and psychological characteristics of
the mother and adolescent were also considered in the analyses.

There were significant and independent effects of PTE, PAE, and PME on processing speed and interhemispheric transfer of information. PTEand PME were associated with deficits in visual motor coordination. There were no interactions between PAE, PTE, and PME.

Current to***co use predicted deficits in speed of processing. Current alcohol and ma*****na use by the offspring were not associated with any measures of performance on the BCT.
Keywords: Prenatal Alcohol Exposure; Prenatal To***co Exposure; Prenatal Ma*****na Exposure; Visual Motor
Coordination; Speed of Processing; Bimanual Coordination

04/21/2020

Neurobehavioral Characteristics of Children with Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in Communities from Italy:
Preliminary Results
Piyadasa Kodituwakku, Giovanna Coriale, Daniela Fiorentino, Alfredo S. Arago´n, Wendy O. Kalberg, David Buckley, J. Phillip Gossage, Mauro Ceccanti, and Philip A. May

Background: There has been considerable effort expended on defining neurobehavioral characteristics of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Children with FASD display a range of cognitive deficits and behavioral problems. In this article, we report on the neurobehavioral characteristics of children with FASD in selected communities in Italy. It was expected that both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive characteristics would discriminate children with FASD from controls and that the groups would also differ on intellectual functioning, language comprehension, and academic skills.

Methods: Eighty-two children, 22 diagnosed with FASD and 60 control children, participated in this study. The children were administered tests of nonverbal reasoning, language comprehension, academic achievement, and behavior.
Results: On tests of nonverbal reasoning and language comprehension, the FASD group earned lower scores than did controls. Moreover, on a test of academic achievement the FASD group scored lower. When comparing these 2 groups on disruptive behavioral symptomatology, similar results were obtained, the FASD group showing greater attentional difficulties and hyperactivity/impulsivity
behaviors and more overall behavioral problems. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that a model containing inattention and error scores on the language comprehension task correctly classified 85% of the participants. Compared with the control group, a significantly greater proportion of
children with FASD met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria of ADD, inattentive type, as reported by teachers. In contrast, hyperactive symptoms among children with FASD were comparable with the control group. Teachers rated children
with FASD as having more inattentive behaviors and as performing lower in academic skills than
controls. The association between reported hyperactivity symptoms and achievement scores was nonsignificant for both language and math scores, suggesting that it is not the hyperactivity causing problems, but the child’s inattention.

Conclusions: This research indicates that a nonclinic-referred sample of Italian children with FASD display a profile of neurobehavioral functioning consistent with that reported by other researchers. Furthermore, the neurobehavioral characteristic most identified with children diagnosed
with FASD was inattention followed by hyperactivity.

Key Words: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Neurobehavior

04/18/2020

Hippocampal Abnormalities in Youth with Alcohol-Related
Neurodevelopmental Disorder
Joanna Dudek,1 Jovanka Skocic,2 Erin Sheard,2
AND Joanne Rovet1,2,3

Individuals diagnosed with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) exhibit difficulty on hippocampally mediated memory tasks and show reduced hippocampal size. However inconsistencies exist regarding the affected memory functions and where within the hippocampi effects occur. Given recent studies showing anterior and posterior segments support distinct memory functions and s*x dimorphisms in hippocampal function, we asked whether these factors influence memory performance in youth with ARND (n518) and typically developing controls (n517). Participants received a battery of memory tests and a structural MRI scan. Right and left hippocampi were manually traced; anterior and posterior segments were delineated at the uncus. Measured were intracranial volumes (ICV) and right and left hippocampi and hippocampal segments. Volumes were adjusted for ICV. Relative to controls, the ARND group
had lower IQs and memory performance on most tasks and marginally smaller ICVs. Left and right hippocampal volumes and posterior segments were smaller in the ARND group. Although no s*x differences were observed between groups, females overall had larger anterior hippocampi than males. Positive and negative associations between hippocampal and
selective memory indices were found in the ARND group only.

These findings are the first to suggest that posterior hippocampal development may be compromised in youth with ARND. (JINS, 2014, 20, 181–191)

Keywords: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), Hippocampus, Learning, Memory.

03/31/2020

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Cognitive Status of Children at Age 10
Alcoholism-clinical and Experimental Research,

Background: The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on measures of intelligence have been well documented in children with fetal alcohol syndrome. However, deficits in general intellectual ability in children with low to moderate PAE are less well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the association between moderate PAE and cognitive ability in children at age 10 controlling for other prenatal and birth factors, maternal and child psychosocial factors, and environmental characteristics.Methods: Data were collected as part of the Maternal Health Practices and Child Development Project, a prospective study of prenatal substance use with 636 mother–child pairs. Women were assessed during each trimester of pregnancy and with their children at birth; 8 and 18 months; and 3, 6, and 10 years. Each phase included an evaluation of growth, development, cognitive, and psychological functioning. At age 10, cognitive ability was assessed using the composite score and verbal, abstract/visual, quantitative, and short-term memory area scores of the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Test, fourth edition. Maternal intellectual ability, maternal prenatal and current drug use, maternal and child psychosocial characteristics, demographics, and home environment were included in the analysis.Results: A significant relation was found between alcohol exposure during the first and second trimesters and the composite score of the Stanford–Binet for African American children at age 10. Significant relations were also found for the verbal, abstract/visual, and quantitative subscales. Additional predictors of IQ at age 10 included mother's IQ, home environment, and child's report of depression.Conclusions: There is a significant association between PAE and cognitive ability at age 10 among African American offspring. There was no relation between PAE and scores on the Stanford–Binet scales among the Caucasian offspring.

03/27/2020

National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS)
·
Scorpion venom shows promise for treating FASD. Yes, you read that right. The finding comes from a research team led by Children’s National Hospital faculty, published in Nature Neuroscience.

https://neurosciencenews.com/fasd-scorpion-venom-15943/

Tamapin, an investigational drug derived from Indian red scorpion venom, reverses motor deficits in pre-clinical models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

02/21/2020

Babies can be diagnosed with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder even if their mother has never consumed alcohol before.

02/18/2020

NOFAS Alabama enjoyed spending today at Haleyville Middle School educating the teachers, counselors and school administration about FASD. 1 in 20 school age children have FASD.

FUN FACT: Haleyville is home to the first ever 911 call over 51 years ago.

FUN FACT: In 2018 Haleyville, Alabama was selected as a Pilot City for the First Rural Workforce Outreach Event.

Thankful for those who initiate research, programs and services for this thriving and surviving community.

Contact NOFAS Alabama if you are interested in having a NOFAS Affiliate visit your school or community event.

Together we are better

02/03/2020

Minnesota State University,

Differences between Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders: Rural Social Work Implications for Prevention, Assessment and Treatment

Follow this and additional works at: http://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/sowk_fac_pubs

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Social Work Department at Cornerstone. It has been accepted for inclusion in Social Work Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Cornerstone

This collection contains scholarly articles, reports and other publications authored by faculty members in the Department of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

11/26/2019

Developmental assessment at 9 months of age can predict fetal alcohol syndrome
November 19, 2019 | Michael Dinh and Leah H. Carr, MD

In this prospective cohort study, infants underwent developmental and dysmorphologic assessments at various times throughout early life. Researchers found that starting at 9 months of age, the total dysmorphology score was able to discriminate between children with and without a diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) at age 5.

Significant differences in developmental scores emerged between children with and without FASD between 18 and 42 months of age.

Study Rundown: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are the most common environmentally-induced category of intellectual disability in the world, and early identification and referral of at-risk children is crucial. Nonetheless, diagnosis of FASD is typically deferred until children are school-aged due to the challenges of evaluating phenotypes earlier in life. In this prospective cohort study, researchers used repeated longitudinal developmental and dysmorphology assessments of infants after birth at 6 weeks and 9, 18, 42, and 60 months of age and maternal interviews in order to identify infant features that predict a diagnosis of FASD at age 5. Starting at 9 months of age, the total dysmorphology score was able to discriminate between children with and without a diagnosis of FASD at age 5 to a significant degree. Several developmental differences became significant between 18 and 42 months of age.

The assessments were completed by expert dysmorphologists, of whom there are few, limiting the generalizability of the findings to resource-poor areas. Nonetheless, the study is strengthened by its prospective design and inclusion of both and unexposed children from the same community. For physicians, these findings highlight a promising tool to identify and aid in referring FASD at-risk infant at earlier ages than is currently possible.

In-Depth [prospective cohort]: Researchers recruited pregnant women from primary health care clinics and hospitals in two communities in South Africa with a high prevalence of FASD. All women who visited the clinic for antenatal care and agreed to participate were included, and their children had standardized dysmorphology and developmental assessments conducted by trained professionals after birth at 6 weeks and at 9, 18, 42, and 60 months of age. The Collaboration on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevalence diagnostic guidelines were used for dysmorphology assessment, and the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale was used for developmental assessment. Structured maternal interview was used to assess maternal age, ethnicity, physical traits, drinking before and during pregnancy, and other characteristics. Analysis of variance was used to compare changes in developmental assessments across time points on the basis of diagnoses assigned.

Of the 155 children studied, 79 were diagnosed with FASD by 5 years of age and 76 were not. Children at age 5 who were diagnosed with FASD demonstrated significantly higher total dysmorphology scores than those without FASD. Starting at 9 months of age, the total dysmorphology score was able to discriminate between children with FASD and those without FASD with a significant degree of probability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.777; P < .001; 95% confidence interval: 0.705-0.849). Significant differences in developmental scores emerged at 18 to 42 months of age between children with and without FASD. Mothers of children diagnosed with FASD at age 5 had significantly higher gravidity and self-reported drinking before and during pregnancy and significantly lower height and BMI than mothers of children without FASD.

10/04/2019

Dads-to-be should stop drinking 6 months before conception for baby's heart health, study says

By Sandee Lamotte, CNN | Updated - Oct 3rd, 2019 @ 2:10pm | Posted - Oct 3rd, 2019 @ 7:04am

CNN — Alcohol consumption during pregnancy has long been linked to congenital defects and developmental problems in newborns. Now a new study has found a link between a baby's congenital heart defects and their prospective parents' drinking before conception.

Compared to non-drinkers, fathers who drank during the three months before conception were 44% more likely to have babies born with congenital heart disease.

Congenital heart defects affect nearly 1% of all newborns each year in the United States. That's about 40,000 babies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the defect is on the rise.

If the prospective dads were binge drinkers, which was defined as downing five or more drinks per session, there was a 52% higher likelihood their baby would have a congenital heart defect.

Previous research has shown that alcohol exposure changes the DNA in developing s***m and changes s***m activity, although the underlying mechanisms are not yet understood.

For mothers who drank or binge-drank before conception, there was a 16% higher risk for their babies, compared to not drinking.

The study, published Thursday in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, was a meta analysis and review of existing studies on the topic, and can only show an association between drinking and birth defects, not a causation.

"Binge drinking by would-be parents is a high risk and dangerous behaviour that not only may increase the chance of their baby being born with a heart defect, but also greatly damages their own health," study author Jiabi Qin, of Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China, said in a statement.

Of course, no one can predict when they might conceive. To be safe, Qin said, the results suggest that men should not consume alcohol for at least six months before fertilization, while women should stop drinking alcohol one year before, and avoid it while pregnant.

Both the CDC and the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists say women should completely avoid alcoholic drinks when trying to conceive.

Previous studies looking at the link between alcohol consumption before conception and congenital heart disease had focused on moms-to-be, with mixed results. Qin said this is the first meta-analysis to examine the role of paternal alcohol drinking before conception.

Birth defects occur in one out of every 33 babies and are the leading cause of infant death, according to the CDC. A congenital heart defect is the most common type of birth defect, and according to the CDC, about 30% of babies born with one also have other physical problems or developmental or cognitive disorders.

The-CNN-Wire™ & © 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

09/10/2019

NOFAS Joins FASD Champions and Experts at CDC Meeting

The NOFAS team joined FASD champions and experts from across the country at CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia for the annual FASD Grantee Meeting. NOFAS gave several presentations and the whole staff met with representatives from AAP, ACOG, and many other organizations. The meeting was a great opportunity for NOFAS to expand our partnerships with these organizations, in furtherance of our mission to expand FASD prevention and support.
CDC NOFAS cropped


FASD NEWS

Moderate to Heavy Drinking During Pregnancy Alters Genes in Newborns, Mothers

“Researchers found changes to two genes -- POMC, which regulates the stress-response system, and PER2, which influences the body's biological clock -- in women who drank moderate to high levels of alcohol during pregnancy and in children who had been exposed to those levels of alcohol in the womb."
-Science Daily genes DNA

Boy with FASD Given Violin by Symphony Orchestra

“The Billings, Montana Symphony has given a violin to 13-year-old Michael Blanke. Michael has fetal alcohol syndrome, among other conditions, and uses a ventilator to help him breathe. He's been in and out of the hospital for most of his life.” “I feel happy," Michael said after receiving the violin. "The great thing about music is that you can play it anytime, anywhere. And you can learn to play different songs.”
- KTVQ News Kid violin

Incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Has More Than Doubled

“The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) steadily and notably increased in Canada between the years 2005 to 2006 and 2015 to 2016, following similar trends seen in the United States, England, and Australia, according to findings published in Pediatrics. Researchers believe this increase sheds light on the importance of implementing integrated care for the mother-infant dyad during and after the birth process.”
- Neurology Advisor NAS doubles

Contemporary OB/GYN on Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy

“Treatment for OUD in pregnancy must include a multifaceted, comprehensive approach as behavioral interventions, psychosocial support and medication administration have been shown to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes… This reduction in medical and social risks associated with substance use in pregnancy leads to improved social, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes.”




USA Today: "W**d While Pregnant: Far More Common and Concerning Than Many Realize"

“Between 2002 and 2017, pregnant women who used ma*****na in the previous month increased from 3.4% to 7% overall and from nearly 6% to just over 12% during the first trimester, according to the new federal published in JAMA. There are more than 16,000 members of the group "G***a Mamas" on the What to Expect website.”



Funding Available for Innovation to Treat Opioid Abuse in Pregnant Women

“The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are collaborating on a new initiative called “Addressing Perinatal Opioid Use Disorder.” A total of $200,000 will be awarded to begin new projects, enhance or expand existing projects to prevent and treat opioid use disorder among women, their children and infants during prenatal, pregnancy and postpartum periods.”
- Up Matters
NAS funding

CDC Report: Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Pregnant Women and Infants

“A new CDC report, Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Pregnant Women and Infants, was published this week in the Journal of Women’s Health. This report describes ongoing efforts to monitor health threats, like congenital syphilis, congenital Zika virus infection, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, among pregnant women and their infants.”



Research

Can Fetal Alcohol Exposure Increase the Risk of Hypertension? A New Study Suggests It Can
“Exposure of the fetus to alcohol during critical stages of development may contribute to ‘developmental origins of health and disease' (DOHaD) which suggests that a suboptimal environment in early development may increase susceptibility to conditions such as hypertension, insulin resistance and obesity, which are risk factors for prevalent non‐communicable chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes.”
- Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research

Association Between Maternal Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy and Risk of Preterm Delivery
“The analysis revealed an increased risk of preterm delivery in correlation with alcohol consumption during the second and third trimesters, but not during the first trimester. A four-fold higher risk was observed in correlation with heavy alcohol consumption (≥ 300 g ethanol/week) during the second and third trimesters compared with non-drinkers.”
- BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

08/12/2019

August 12, 2019

NOFAS Shares Fun Mocktail Recipes for Pregnant Women

Watch this fun, short video of NOFAS staff sharing recipes for delicious alcohol-free mocktails that pregnant women can enjoy.


Couple Adopts 6 Siblings, One Living with FASD

“A Michigan couple says their house is full of “love and chaos” after they took six siblings under their wing and adopted them as their own… Their son Mason was born with multiple birth defects, including fetal alcohol syndrome. His older brother Jordan said, ‘Mason is hilarious and fun and a missing piece. He filled the void I didn’t know I had.”
- People


AAFP Recruiting for Alcohol SBI Office Champions Project

“Family physicians are in a prime position to address risky alcohol use in adults, particularly women of childbearing age in whom it could lead to FASD, and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is looking for as many as 25 family medicine practices to participate in its new Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Office Champions Project. Applications are due Aug. 31. Research shows that alcohol SBI, which includes short counseling sessions, feedback, advice and goal-setting conducted by health care professionals, is effective at reducing alcohol misuse among adults, including pregnant women." AAFP

Foster Family Gives Fresh Start to Infant Born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

“One little boy is getting a lot of love from his South Carolina foster family. "If there hadn't been a home for him, he would have sat up in the NICU for potentially weeks until they found a placement for him.” This baby needed special care - several doctor's visits, and until recently, daily doses of methadone… His foster mother said that as he was going through withdrawal, he always wanted to be held. Now 2 months old, he's moving around and meeting his developmental milestones.”
- WYFF News Foster fresh start

Cyntoia Brown, Living With FASD and Sentenced to Life, is Released From Prison

“Cyntoia Brown, an alleged s*x trafficking victim who was convicted of murdering a man who had picked her up and taken her to his home, was released early Wednesday after serving 15 years in state prison… Experts had testified in court proceedings that Brown may have suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome in utero, affecting her mental state at the time of the crime.”
- Washington Post



Depression is the Largest Factor for Substance Use During Pregnancy, Research Finds

“Researchers have released a new study showing depression is the primary risk factor for cannabis, to***co and alcohol use during pregnancy. According to the research, pregnant women who suffered depression were 2.6 times more likely to use cannabis and twice as likely to smoke ci******es and drink alcohol while pregnant. The study is the largest of its kind in Canada to show that depression during pregnancy is the main risk factor for cannabis, to***co and alcohol use.”
- CBC News depression factor

For Psychiatry, Our Bell Tolls for the Loss Of Carl Bell, MD

“On August 2nd, 2019, the “bell” of an incoming message rang. Our renowned colleague, Carl C. Bell, MD had unexpectedly died at the age of 71. Perhaps never did a last name resonate so much with the work of a psychiatrist. Carl sounded the alarm for so many other concerns and challenges, such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.”
- Psychiatric Times
Carl Bell copy

"Prenatal Alcohol Exposure is Devastating a Generation"

This article from the Center for Health Journalism states, “An increasing number of American children are growing up with devastating, untreated developmental disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, triggering a mental health crisis that state and federal policymakers have largely ignored for decades.”

Research

Low-level Alcohol Use Increases Miscarriage Risk
“Women who consume alcohol during pregnancy—even in small amounts—have a 19 percent greater risk of miscarriage than women who don't use alcohol, according to a new study by Vanderbilt researchers. Published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, the study also found that for alcohol exposure of less than five drinks per week, each additional drink per week during pregnancy was associated with a 6 percent increase in miscarriage risk.”
- Medical Xpress


STUDIES AND SURVEYS

Featured: The DiG FASD Study is Enrolling Adults and Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
Researchers are now able to offer $50 gift cards to participants who complete the study.

Registry Connects Researchers to Families and Individuals Living with FASD

Enroll Your Children in UCLA Brain MRI Study of Children with FASD
For more information, please contact: childbrainstudy@mednet.ucla.edu or 310-206-9012.



Please send webinars for possible inclusion to kachor@nofas.org


NOFAS Celebration of Congressional and Leadership Champions
September 25, 2019. Washington, DC
NOFAS is thrilled to invite you to its biggest, most exciting event of the year! The gala event will take place at The National Press Club in Washington, DC. To purchase your tickets or sponsor the event, visit NOFAS Celebration of Congressional and Leadership Champions or contact Tom Donaldson at NOFAS, donaldson@nofas.org or (202) 785-4585, ext. 3.

FASD Conference in North Carolina
September 27, 2019. Raleigh, North Carolina
“NCFASD Informed, Inc. is hosting a conference for the legal community, Department of Social Services social workers, parents, and others on Friday, September 27, 2019 in Raleigh.”

2019 Fall FASD Forum in Wisconsin
October 11, 2019. Madison, Wisconsin
“2019 FALL FASD FORUM: “It’s a Brain Thing: Cognitive Supports for People with FASD and Other Neurological Disorders… Presenter Nate Sheets is an international FASD behavior consultant, speaker, and advocate.”

FASD Conference: Opening Doors to a Brighter Future
November 6-8, 2019. Minnesotta
“The 8th Annual FASD Conference: Opening Doors to a Brighter Future. This years’ conference will be hosted on November 7- 8, 2019 at the Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, MN. Proof Alliance is proud to announce this year's conference will provide topics on both FASD prevention and support."

9th International Research Conference on Adolescents and Adults with FASD
April 22-25, 2020. Vancouver, BC, Canada
Call for Abstracts is now open. Abstract submission deadline: September 13, 2019
“Review Respond and Relate: Integrating Research, Policy and Practice Around the World”

North Carolina Support Groups
NCFASD Informed, Inc is facilitating the initiation of support groups throughout North Carolina. Groups now forming in Boone, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, Greenville, Raleigh. Contact kathy.hotelling@ncfasdinformed.org

Please send events for possible inclusion to kachor@nofas.org


Please send suggested items for the roundup (events, articles, research) to kachor@nofas.org. The content of the NOFAS Weekly Roundup does not necessarily reflect the official positions or views of NOFAS. For questions about events and webinars, please contact the organizations that are hosting the events.

The NOFAS Weekly Roundup is edited by Andy Kachor.