Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

Abstract

Alcohol readily crosses the placenta and may disrupt fetal development. Harm from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is determined by the dose, pattern, timing and duration of exposure, fetal and maternal genetics, maternal nutrition, concurrent substance use, and epigenetic responses. A safe dose of alcohol use during pregnancy has not been established. PAE can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which are characterized by neurodevelopmental impairment with or without facial dysmorphology, congenital anomalies and poor growth. FASD are a leading preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disability. The prevalence of FASD in 76 countries is >1% and is high in individuals living in out-of-home care or engaged in justice and mental health systems. The social and economic effects of FASD are profound, but the diagnosis is often missed or delayed and receives little public recognition. Future research should be informed Nature Reviews Disease Primers | (2023) 9:11 2 0123456789();: PrimerFASD occur in all socioeconomic and ethnic groups 15 and are complex, chronic conditions that affect health and family functioning 16 . Individuals with FASD usually require lifelong health care as well as social and vocational support. Some require remedial education and others interact with the justice system. Early diagnosis and a strength-based management approach will optimize health outcomes.FASD are the most common of the potentially preventable conditions associated with birth anomalies and neurodevelopmental problems 13 , and their global effects, including huge social and economic costs, are substantial 17 . For example, in Canada, the annual cost associated with FASD is an estimated ~CAD$ 1.8 billion (CAD$ 1.3 billion to CAD$ 2.3 billion) 17 , which is attributable in part to productivity loss (41%), correction services (29%) and health care (10%). In North America, the lifetime cost of supporting an individual with FASD is estimated at >CAD$ 1 million 18 . Addressing and preventing alcohol use in pregnancy is a public-health imperative.This Primer presents the epidemiology of FASD and the latest understanding of its pathophysiology as well as approaches to diagnosis, screening and prevention. The Primer also describes outcomes across the lifespan, management and quality of life (QOL) of people living with FASD, and highlights important areas for future research and clinical practice. Epidemiology Alcohol use during pregnancyNo safe level of PAE has been established 19 , and international guidelines advise against any amount or type of alcohol use during pregnancy [20][21][22][23] . Nevertheless, ~10% of pregnant women worldwide consume alcohol 24,25 . The highest prevalence of alcohol use during pregnancy is in the WHO European Region (25.2% 24 ; Fig. 1), consistent with the prevalence of heavy alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking and alcohol use disorders in this region 26 . 0123456789();: PrimerIn 40% of the 162 countries evaluated, >25% of women who consumed any alcohol during pregnancy drank at 'bing...

Sex-Specific DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Changes in Mouse Placentas After Early Preimplantation Alcohol Exposure

“…Neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities are commonly observed in FASD, resulting from disruptions during brain development and incomplete maturation 5 . While the impact of endocrine placental dysfunction on brain development is increasingly understood, the role of placental epigenetic and transcriptomic dysregulation has been less explored.…”

“…It can cause various issues with development, cognition, and behavior, which can be lifelong. Adverse effects of alcohol exposure at any point during pregnancy are referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) 5 . FASD manifests as various symptoms, including cognitive impairments, learning difficulties, behavioral issues, and, in severe cases, profound intellectual disabilities and craniofacial abnormalities 5 .…”

“…Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a leading—and preventable—cause of birth defects and neurodevelopmental issues worldwide 5 . It can cause various issues with development, cognition, and behavior, which can be lifelong.…”

“…Annually, approximately 630,000 newborns are affected by FASD worldwide 6 . Its presentation and severity depend on multiple factors, including the timing, amount, and pattern of PAE 5 . Poor maternal health, exposure to other harmful substances, and nutritional deficiencies can also increase FASD severity 5 .…”

“…Its presentation and severity depend on multiple factors, including the timing, amount, and pattern of PAE 5 . Poor maternal health, exposure to other harmful substances, and nutritional deficiencies can also increase FASD severity 5 . Currently, there is no molecular diagnostic tool for FASD, and most cases are not identified until school, when neurodevelopmental symptoms become noticeable 5 .…”