Predicting fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in preschool-aged children from early life factors.

Background: Early life factors, including parental sociodemographic characteristics, pregnancy exposures, and physical and neurodevelopmental features measured in infancy are associated with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of a classifier model for diagnosing FASD in preschool-aged children from pregnancy and infancy-related characteristics.

Methods: We analyzed a prospective pregnancy cohort in Western Ukraine enrolled between 2008 and 2014.

Vision outcomes in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated that children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are more likely to have vision impairments. However, existing human clinical and epidemiological investigations are few and include limited sample sizes. This study aimed to explore the association between ophthalmologic abnormalities and FASD in a sample of 5-7 year old children in the general population.

Validation of the FASD-Tree as a screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Background: As many as 80% of individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed. This study tests the accuracy and validity of a web-based screening tool (the FASD-Tree) for identifying children and adolescents with FASD.

Methods: Children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and controls (N = 302, including 224 with PAE and 78 controls) were examined for physical signs of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and parents completed behavioral questionnaires.

Alcohol-related dysmorphic features as predictors of neurodevelopmental delay in infants and preschool-aged children: Results from a birth cohort in Ukraine.

Background: Cardinal and non-cardinal dysmorphic features are associated with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE); however, their association with neurodevelopment is less clear. The objective of this study was to determine whether alcohol-related dysmorphic features predict neurodevelopmental delay in infants and toddlers.

Methods: We analyzed a prospective pregnancy cohort in western Ukraine enrolled between 2008 and 2014.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and access to regional center services in San Diego County.

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are developmental disabilities that are estimated to occur in 2-5% of elementary school children and that negatively impact a child's ability to function without support. Timely diagnosis-informed interventions are crucial to optimizing the developmental trajectory of children with FASD. The true prevalence of FASD among children receiving services for developmental disabilities is unknown.

Prenatal alcohol exposure can be determined from baby teeth: Proof of concept.

Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), leading to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), is a serious public health issue in the United States and globally. Diagnosis of FASD is crucial in obtaining appropriate care, but it is not always possible when PAE cannot be documented.

Methods: Deciduous teeth from a child with known PAE and a child with known absence of PAE were analyzed using liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-IDMS/MS) in a multiple-reaction monitoring mode for direct markers and LC-high resolution MS in positive and negative mode with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and reverse-phase chromatography, respectively, for indirect markers.

Birth Outcomes in Women Who Have Taken Hydroxycholoroquine During Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Findings from previous small studies have been reassuring regarding the safety of treatment with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during pregnancy. In one recent study, it was demonstrated that the frequency of major birth defects was increased in women who had received HCQ at a dose of ≥400 mg/day during pregnancy. This study was undertaken to examine pregnancy outcomes among women following the use of HCQ.

41st Annual David W. Smith workshop on malformations and morphogenesis: Abstracts of the 2020 annual meeting.

The 41st Annual David W. Smith Workshop on Malformation and Morphogenesis was scheduled to take place in Skamania, Washington, on September 11-16, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated recommendations to avoid travel and congregation in large groups, this meeting took place differently from its original plan.

Use of Telemedicine for the Physical Examination of Children With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Background: The fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are among the most prevalent causes of neurodevelopmental disorders. The diagnosis is based on assessment of prenatal alcohol exposure, specific physical features identified with a dysmorphology examination, and neurobehavioral assessment. Prompt diagnosis of affected children is necessary to provide early intervention services in a timely manner; however, the availability of diagnostic expertise is limited.

Ocular measurements in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) describe a range of physical, behavioral, and neurologic deficits in individuals exposed to alcohol prenatally. Reduced palpebral fissure length is one of the cardinal facial features of FASD. However, other ocular measurements have not been studied extensively in FASD.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in a Pacific Southwest City: Maternal and Child Characteristics.

Background: There are limited data on the characteristics of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and their mothers from the general population in the United States.

Methods: During the 2012 and 2013 academic years, first-grade children in a large urban Pacific Southwest city were invited to participate in a study to estimate the prevalence of FASD. Children who screened positive on weight, height, or head circumference ≤25th centile or on parental report of developmental concerns were selected for evaluation, along with a random sample of those who screened negative.

Birth outcomes in women who have taken adalimumab in pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Information is needed on the safety of adalimumab when used in pregnancy for the treatment of certain autoimmune diseases.

Methods And Findings: Between 2004 and 2016, the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists Research Center at the University of California San Diego conducted a prospective controlled observational cohort study in 602 pregnant women who had or had not taken adalimumab. Women in the adalimumab-exposed cohort had received at least one dose of the drug in the first trimester for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's Disease (N = 257).

The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in An American Indian Community.

The prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) differs among populations and is largely unknown among minority populations. Prevalence and characterization of FASD is necessary for prevention efforts and allocation of resources for treatment and support. However, prevalence data are lacking, including among many minority populations.

Relation Between Oppositional/Conduct Behaviors and Executive Function Among Youth with Histories of Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.

Background: Youth with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure have high rates of behavioral concerns and psychopathology, including increased oppositional and conduct behaviors. The relation between those concerns and executive function (EF) deficits is unknown. We investigated the association of oppositional and conduct behavior and EF in adolescents to inform targeted intervention.

Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities.

Importance: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are costly, life-long disabilities. Older data suggested the prevalence of the disorder in the United States was 10 per 1000 children; however, there are few current estimates based on larger, diverse US population samples.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, including fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, and alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, in 4 regions of the United States.

Academic Difficulties in Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Presence, Profile, and Neural Correlates.

Background: Academic achievement was evaluated in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure to determine potential strengths and weaknesses, evaluate the utility of different definitions for identifying low academic performance, and explore the neural correlates that may underlie academic performance.

Methods: Children (8 to 16 years) were assessed using the WIAT-II. Patterns of performance were examined in 2 subject groups: children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (n = 67) and controls (n = 61).

The Use of Cardiac Orienting Responses as an Early and Scalable Biomarker of Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopmental Impairment.

Background: Considered the leading cause of developmental disabilities worldwide, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a global health problem. To take advantage of neural plasticity, early identification of affected infants is critical. The cardiac orienting response (COR) has been shown to be sensitive to the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and is an inexpensive, easy to administer assessment tool.

Second-Trimester Ultrasound as a Tool for Early Detection of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Background: Early detection of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is desirable to allow earlier and more comprehensive interventions to be initiated for the mother and infant. We examined prenatal ultrasound as an early method of detecting markers of the physical features and neurobehavioral deficits characteristic of FASD.

Methods: A longitudinal cohort of pregnant women in Ukraine was recruited as part of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

A review of the physical features of the fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

The fetal alcohol spectrum of disorders (FASD) includes four diagnostic categories for the clinical consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in the unborn child. Physical features are necessary for the diagnosis of the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and partial pFAS. Moreover, these features are specific and a diagnosis of FAS can be made even in the absence of knowledge of PAE.

Neurobehavioral Deficits Consistent Across Age and Sex in Youth with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.

Background: Neurobehavioral consequences of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure are well documented; however, the role of age or sex in these effects has not been studied. The current study examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure, sex, and age on neurobehavioral functioning in children.

Methods: Subjects were 407 youth with prenatal alcohol exposure (n = 192) and controls (n = 215).