Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Prevalence rates in South Africa

Abstract

Background. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is an under-diagnosed condition in South Africa (SA). Fetal alcohol syndrome and FASD community prevalence studies were undertaken in 17 towns in three of the nine provinces in SA. Objective. The objective for all the studies was to determine the FASD prevalence rates by assessing the grade 1 learners in all the studies, using international FASD diagnostic criteria. Methods. The same methodology was used for all the studies in Gauteng, Western and Northern Cape provinces. Consenting grade 1 learners received anthropometric screening, clinical examinations and neurodevelopmental assessments. Structured interviews were used to assess maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Results. Reported prevalence rates ranged from 29 to 290 per 1 000 live births. Conclusion. FASD rates from studies conducted in SA are among the highest worldwide. FASD affects all communities in SA and is therefore a major public health concern in SA. Multidisciplinary and intersectoral interventions are urgently required to raise awareness about the dangers of prenatal alcohol exposure and the devastating effect of FASD on the lives of children, families and communities.

Attitudes toward alcohol use during pregnancy among women recruited from alcohol-serving venues in Cape Town, South Africa: A mixed-methods study

“…The Western Cape Province (WCP) of South Africa has one of the highest documented rates of FASD in the world - recently estimated in one particular setting at 18.3---25.9% (May et al, 2016), compared to estimates of 2---5% in the United States (May et al, 2009). Estimates typically made at a community level are likely underestimates, as FASD remains largely under---diagnosed, and the surveillance systems, clinical---based studies, and referral clinics typically used to gather data have proven to be inadequate methods for determining the prevalence of this disease Olivier, Curfs, & Viljoen, 2016). Current meta---analytic data estimate the prevalence of FAS in South Africa at 10 to 15 per 10 000 people, meaning that according to these estimates, the prevalence of FASD could range from 9 to 15 per 1000 people (Popova et al, 2017).…”

Maternal alcohol exposure during mid-pregnancy dilates fetal cerebral arteries via endocannabinoid receptors

“…FASD is estimated to affect 2–5% of children in the U.S. and Western European countries (www.cdc.gov; May & Gossage, 2001; 2011; May et al, 2009). In some regions of the world, however, FAS/FASD affects up to 29% of live births (Olivier, Curfs, & Viljoen, 2016). …”

Proteomic Analysis of Baboon Cerebral Artery Reveals Potential Pathways of Damage by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure*

“…As a result, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can lead to a wide range of cognitive and morphological abnormalities, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), with the most severe cases conforming to what has been defined as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) (20 -21). In countries with the highest percentage of alcohol consumption during pregnancy, FAS/FASD prevalence reaches 6%, with the global prevalence of FASD among children and youth being estimated at 0.77% (22)(23)(24)(25)(26).…”