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Sunday, March 30, 2025

FASD News - 13/2025

EUFASD Alliance (Germany) - Evidence-based FASD guideline (diagnosis and intervention)
The German guideline has been developed according to international standards and high methodological criteria. It includes evidence-based recommendations and clinical expert consensus on diagnostics and interventions for children and adolescents, representing the current medical knowledge on FASD.
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SunLive - Mother shares struggle with adopted FASD son
“I was pleased to hear… it was a genuine problem, it wasn’t just my imagination, and it wasn’t just me,” says Carol Hudson, recalling the moment she learnt her teenaged adopted son, Gary, had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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NOFASD Australia - Equine Assisted Therapy & FASD
I am a qualified psychotherapist who practises Equine Assisted Therapy near Castlemaine in Victoria. I am also a registered Acupuncturist. I find the therapy work with the horses to be effective with people who find verbal communication and talking about their feelings difficult, and who don’t feel comfortable in an office-based style of therapy.
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FASD United (USA) - FASD NPN Spotlight: Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
FASD United is excited to spotlight each of the organizations that are part of CDC’s FASD National Partner Network (NPN), a collaborative of organizations dedicated to reducing prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and substance use, enhancing support services and access to care, and improving the identification and health of children and families affected by FASDs.
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Girls, Women, Alcohol, and Pregnancy - Alcohol Policy and FASD
Over the past few years, there has been increasing attention to how alcohol policy can be used to improve health, including maternal and fetal health.
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WRaP2.0 - Why Visuals Matter: Supporting Students with FASD Through Visual Tools
Visual tools are a powerful, often underutilized strategy in supporting learners—especially students with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). These students benefit from clear, concrete communication and consistency in instruction, and visuals provide just that.
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FASD United - Commercial from Water Brand Showing Pregnant Women Drinking from Water “Kegs” is an Opportunity to Highlight Alcohol-Free Pregnancies
A new ad campaign from the water brand Liquid Death takes a lighthearted satirical approach to the topic of alcohol and pregnancy, in an ad showing women using an alternative to alcohol to celebrate their pregnancies.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Health Nexus Santé - Supporting Families Raising Black Children with FASD
In this webinar, Alice Audrain, a researcher / consultant / activist who identifies as a proud queer mixed-race black francophone parent will draw on her personal and professional experience to discuss challenges faced by diverse communities of caregivers raising black children with FASD.
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Health Nexus Santé - Sex-Related Trends Among People with PAE/FASD
Individuals with PAE/FASD experience notable sex-related differences in clinical presentation and experiences across the lifespan.
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FASD Awareness - Dr Cassie Jackson - Dr Cassie Jackson Consultant Clinical Psychologist - FASD Awareness Webinar #33
In this month's webinar, host Andrew Keeping will be asking the question, “Is FASD overlooked in Family Law?” with Dr Cassie Jackson. Cassie will also discuss the process of diagnosis of FASD.
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Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - Voices of Experience: Adults Living with FASD Share their Keys to Success with Deb Evensen
In this episode of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper welcomes back Deb Evenson to discuss the long-awaited release of their animated film, "Eight Keys for Adults Living with FASD."
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Al Coates - Episode 206 - Anna Webster, Therapeutic Caregiving for children with FASD
In this episode of the A&F podcast we speak to adoptive parent and Neurodiversity Coaching Psychologist Anna Webster. She shares her experience of parenting a child with a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the development of the Neurowise Programme on Therapeutic Caregiving for FASD.
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FARE Australia - Jessica Birch: FASD United Conference Video
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Western University - Robert Solomon, "If All Else Fails, Sue?"
IF ALL ELSE FAILS, SUE? The Alcohol Industry, The Duty to Inform and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Robert Solomon, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus.
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Perfectly Imperfect - Basic on FASD- there 428 co-occurring conditions link with FASD and PAE
Today we talk about the 428 color current conditions linked to fasd and prenatal alcohol exposure. we also dive into little bit of the comment that I can't stand as someone who advocate for NOT drinking alcohol while pregnant.
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AFC Urgent Care Joplin - FASD The Silent Disease
Today, we’re tackling something really important—Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, or FASD. It’s a topic that doesn’t get enough airtime, but it affects so many people—kids, teens, adults, families.
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James Trail | Trauma Informed Care Resources - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: The Hidden Challenge Facing Families
1 in 20 school-age kids in the U.S. are impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)—yet most go undiagnosed. Sandra Flach, host of The Adoption & Foster Care Journey podcast, shares her powerful insights as an adoptive mom, FASD educator, and advocate for trauma-informed care.
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RESEARCH
University of East London - “Nobody knew what to do with her and that’s what we’ve found all the way along”: A guide for Educational Psychologists (EPs) when working with young people with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families
This study captured the voice of nine adoptive parents and foster carers who parent a child with a confirmed diagnosis of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
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Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Recent Advances in the Role of Non-coding RNAs in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Despite numerous preclinical studies modeling fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD)-associated neurodevelopmental deficits to date, a comprehensive molecular landscape dictating these deficits remains poorly understood.
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Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis as a Therapeutic Target in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
This review is focused on adult hippocampal neurogenesis as a potential therapeutic target in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Adult hippocampal neurogenesis refers to the production of new hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) from a replenishable pool of neural stem and progenitor cells throughout life.
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Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs - Erythropoietin Attenuates Anxiety and Neurodevelopmental Neurotoxicity in Male Rats with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder via Increased BDNF-Positive Cells, Astrogliosis Suppression, and Reduced Hippocampal Cell Death
The synthesis of EPO by immature neurons also plays a crucial role in the embryonic stage. In addition, EPO inhibits astrogliosis and cell death while increasing the number of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-positive cells, which is linked to reductions in anxiety-like behavior and neuronal damage.
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International Journal of Molecular Sciences - In Utero Alcohol and Unsuitable Home Environmental Exposure Combined with FMR1 Full Mutation Allele Cause Severe Fragile X Syndrome Phenotypes
We investigated the molecular and clinical profile of five boys carrying the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) mutation and who suffered from the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Analysis of risk factors associated with suicidality in children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Western Australia
These findings add to the growing body of evidence that highlights the vulnerability of individuals with FASD to suicidality compared with the general population, underscoring the need for targeted, culturally safe suicide intervention/prevention efforts.
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Reproductive Toxicology - Use of the alternative test R-FETAX (Refined-Frog Embryo Teratogenicity Assay-Xenopus) to evaluate the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
The aim of this work was to evaluate multiple morphological and neurobehavioral effects of EtOH exposure (0.1–3
% v/v) using the R-FETAX protocol.
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Scientific Reports - Benzydamine rescues ethanol-induced teratogenesis in zebrafish FASD model
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are a group of physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments caused by ethanol exposure during pregnancy. Zebrafish have emerged as a useful model for researching FASD and its variants in recent years.
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eNeuro - Prenatal Ethanol Exposure Results in Cell Type, Age, and Sex-Dependent Differences in the Neonatal Striatum That Coincide with Early Motor Deficits
Our findings indicate that prenatal ethanol exposure results in dynamic morphological and functional changes to the developmental trajectories of striatal neurons commensurate with the development of motor behaviors that differ between male and female mice.
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Chemical Engineering Journal - A strategy for transplacental in utero therapy based on tetrahedral framework nucleic acid: Application to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
These findings demonstrates that tFNA emerges as a potential nanomaterial for pioneering new strategies in the realm of in utero therapy.
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Advances in Physiology Education - The Chick Embryo Model as an Educational Tool to Explore the Effect of Alcohol on Cardiovascular Development
In development the interrelationship between physiology and anatomy is challenging as learners must appreciate how physiological processes and anatomical structures change over time.
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Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology - Ontogenetic Neuroimmune Changes Following Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: Implications for Neurobehavioral Function
This chapter reviews the enduring effects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on neuroimmune function across the lifespan, including discussion of associated neurobehavioral alterations.
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Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research - Identifying family environment profiles in families of children with prenatal alcohol exposure
The results of this study highlight the importance of the family environment in understanding the strengths and challenges experienced by children with PAE. Four unique profiles of family environments emerged in families of children with PAE.
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The Journal of Rural Health - Rural–urban differences in substance use during pregnancy
Geographic variations in perinatal substance use highlight the need for tailored interventions targeting substance use prevention during pregnancy, prioritizing tobacco in rural areas and alcohol in urban areas.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Studia Paedagogica Ignatiana (Poland) - Strategie wspierania rozwoju zdolności dzieci z FASD w środowisku rodzinnym – możliwości i dylematy
Rodzice lub opiekunowie posiadający całkowite lub częściowe prawo do opieki nad dzieckiem ze Spektrum Alkoholowych Zaburzeń Płodu (FASD) są świadkami skomplikowanego i niepowtarzalnego rozwoju dziecka oraz towarzyszami zdobywania przez nie kompetencji w różnych przestrzeniach uczenia się.
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Terve.fi (Finland) - FAS-nuori Jenny Kärkkäinen: Elän unelmaani
Kun Jenny Kärkkäinen syntyi 24 vuotta sitten, lapsivesi oli eriväristä kuin normaalisti. Se oli vihreää. Vauva painoi vain vähän yli kaksi kiloa, vaikka laskettu aika oli jo ohitettu. Äidin runsaan alkoholinkäytön seuraukset olivat heti nähtävissä.
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ZSL Nord (Germany) - Interview mit Timm Theen vom FASD Fachzentrum
Ein zentrales Ziel unseres Projekts „Meine Rechte durchsetzen!“ ist, dass wir andere Organisationen befähigen, die Rechte von Menschen mit Behinderungen durchzusetzen: Timm Theen vom FASD Fachzentrum in Hamburg e.V. ist der erste, der eigenständig über seinen Verein für eine betroffene Pflegemutter geklagt hat.
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Friday, March 28, 2025

Alcohol News - 13/2025

Medical Xpress - Teens find zero difference between zero-alcohol and alcohol drink adverts
Teenagers consider zero-alcohol beverages to be a type of alcoholic drink, leading Flinders University researchers to voice grave concerns about the impact of their exposure to zero-alcohol branding and advertising.
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NL Times (Netherlands) - Alcohol involved in over 62,000 accidents treated in emergency rooms in 2023
People who ended up hurt in the emergency room of the hospital in 2023 had consumed alcohol before their injury more often than previously thought.
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The Heritage Foundation (USA) - We Have Nutrition Labels on Food. Why Not Alcohol?
What’s actually in the beer you’re drinking? Currently, there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive a good answer to that question. Even though 62% of American adults consume alcohol, alcoholic beverages aren’t required to disclose basic nutritional information like calories, ingredients, or allergens.
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Time Magazine - 9 Things to Say When Someone Asks Why You’re Not Drinking
More people are drinking less alcohol—and sometimes, their friends take that personally. People who have ditched booze describe being hammered with questions about why they’re staying sober, treated like they’re sucking all the fun out of the room, or, if they’re women, inevitably asked if they’re pregnant.
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Action on Armed Violence – AOAV (UK/Estonia) - Alcohol misuse, deaths and violence in the British Armed Forces – how out-of-control drinking in Estonia reveals wider concerns of UK armed forces
In the pine forests of Estonia, along NATO’s eastern edge, Britain’s armed forces are stationed as part of a multinational deterrent to Russian aggression. These soldiers, around 900 at any given time, rotate through deployments under Operation Cabrit—NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) initiative—and are charged with defending not only territory, but values.
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Bond University (Australia) - Booze ads are over the limit
Despite the fact Australians consume an eye-watering 225 million litres of alcohol each year, a surprising 90 per cent of us are concerned about the likelihood of more alcohol advertising on TV.
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Holyrood Website (Scotland) - Dying for a drink: Experts call for cancer warnings on alcohol
Last year Scotland recorded its highest number of alcohol-specific deaths in 15 years. According to official statistics, 1,277 people died from conditions related to their drinking, an increase in one death from the previous year. And yet those figures only tell part of the story.
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IAS Blog - How could the US-EU alcohol tariff war affect alcohol consumption and harm?
The current US administration under Trump has threatened the European Union (EU) with a 200% tariff on spirits and wine coming to America from the EU. This is in response to the EU having a tariff on certain American spirits going to the EU, which in turn is a response to the US putting a tariff on all EU steel and aluminium imports to the US.
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IAS Blog - An alcohol policy community of practice: A model for knowledge-sharing and collaboration
It started with an idea: what if people from across Canada, and across sectors, had a place they could come together to strengthen alcohol policy? It was a concept we heard clearly during the second round of the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) project six years ago and has since blossomed into a large and dynamic community of practice (CoP).
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NordAN (Finland) - Survey: Finns believe home delivery of alcohol threatens the wellbeing of children and families
A recent survey conducted by A-Clinic Foundation, the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention EHYT, and the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters shows that Finns perceive alcohol home delivery as a threat to the wellbeing of families and children.
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NordAN (Denmark) - New age limits for alcohol sales to 16-17-year-olds in Denmark: Enters into force on 1 April 2025
As of 1 April 2025, the alcohol threshold will be lowered for sales to 16-17-year-olds. The new limits mean that it will no longer be permitted to sell beverages containing more than 6 percent alcohol to young people under 18. There are also requirements for proper signage at points of sale.
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Friday, March 21, 2025

Alcohol News - 12/2025

World Health Organization (WHO) (Iceland) - Bergþóra’s story: how Iceland transformed youth alcohol consumption
As a parent and advocate in her community, Bergþóra Valsdóttir has seen first-hand the challenges and triumphs of reducing alcohol use among young people. She was involved in the early stages of a movement that would eventually be known around the world as the Icelandic Prevention Model.
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Nation Thailand (Thailand) - House passes new alcohol control bill allowing advertisements
Thai House passes a new alcohol control bill, lifting the ad ban to support small liquor producers and boost Thailand’s soft power. Senate deliberation next.
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The Brussels Times (Belgium) - Walloon MPs to no longer be served alcohol in parliament
Members of the Walloon Parliament in Namur will no longer be permitted to consume alcohol at their official bar, the office of the parliament announced on Thursday.
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Brno Daily (Czech Republic) - Up To 900,000 Czechs Drink Alcohol Excessively Every Day, Says Report
Up to 1 in 10 Czechs over 15 years old drink excessive amounts of alcohol every day, according to the annual report on alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic for 2024, which was released yesterday. Almost 900,000 people drink several pints of beer, glasses of wine or glasses of spirits daily.
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News-Medical (UK) - Cambridge and London hospitals to pioneer brain implants to combat alcohol and opioid addiction
People suffering from severe alcohol and opioid addiction are to be offered a revolutionary new technique involving planting electrodes in the brain to modulate brain activity and cravings and improve self-control.
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Luxembourg Times (Luxembourg) - More than one person hospitalised due to alcohol every day in Luxembourg
Excessive alcohol consumption is leading to more than one person being hospitalised every single day in Luxembourg, according to data published by the health ministry.
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The Telegraph (UK) - Alcohol and drug abuse costs taxpayers £130m a year in disability benefits
Taxpayers are footing a £130m-a-year bill for disability benefit claims linked to alcohol and drug abuse, official statistics show.
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Nation.Cymru (Wales) - Alcohol related deaths hit record high in Wales
A new report on substance misuse from Public Health Wales (PHW) has revealed that alcohol-related deaths and hospital admissions have hit a record high.
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AJMC (Ireland) - Cancer Labels on Alcohol? Ireland, Where Pubs Still Rule, Will Have Them by Next Year
St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Monday this year, meaning the holiday honoring the fifth century missionary concludes a weekend of parades, parties, and—of course—drinking.
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IAS Blog - “A meal is a way of connecting with somebody”
Since the earliest times, the making and sharing of food has been one of the main ways humans have connected with each other. As well as sustaining our bodies, food brings us together. Most of us have a favourite food.
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NordAN (Finland) - Finland: Assessment highlights impacts of expanding wine sales
The Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority’s (KKV) assessment suggests that expanding wine sales to grocery stores would increase availability but also lead to higher alcohol consumption, with the resulting social costs outweighing the additional revenue from alcohol taxes.
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NordAN (Sweden) - Sweden: Continued decline in alcohol consumption in 2024
Alcohol consumption decreased by 2.3% in 2024 compared to 2023, measured in pure alcohol. This is according to preliminary data from CAN (the Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs).
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PopNAD - The future of Nordic cooperation on alcohol policy: where do we stand?
Nordic cooperation on alcohol policy has long exemplified the region’s commitment to public health, rooted in shared values and evidence-based approaches. From the temperance principles of the 1962 Helsinki Treaty to the collaborative "Nordic Way," this unity once set a global standard.
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Sunday, March 16, 2025

FASD News - 11/2025

UNC Nutrition Research Institute - From Placenta to Brain: Alcohol’s Impact on Development
A new study from the UNC Nutrition Research Institute (NRI) looks at how prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) changes placental metabolism and what that means for fetal brain development.
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LakelandToday.ca (Canada) - Mother of FASD sons becomes advocate to spread her message of hope
Annette Cutknife, a FASD coordinator from Maskwacis (Samson Cree Nation), visited the Bonnyville FCSS to present *Living with FASD 24/7: Our Story of Hope*, sharing her 26 years of experience alongside her sons, Daniel and Floyd Cutknife, who live with FASD, through stories, songs, and dance.
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Iredell Free News - How trauma and prenatal substance exposure harm children’s development, health
Most adult mental health and substance use disorders have their roots in unresolved or undiagnosed concerns that can be effectively addressed in childhood, according to Kimberly Siegrist, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner.
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ConchoValleyHomepage.com (USA) - Protecting Our Most Vulnerable: The urgent need to make critical prenatal substance exposure services accessible for children statewide
The on-going opioid epidemic has brought tragedy to families and communities, but with all the press given to the problem, there is still little attention given to one group--children with pre-natal exposure to opioids and other substances.
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NOFASD Australia (Australia) - Federal Government Response to the FASD Senate Inquiry: Commitments, Considerations, and Next Steps
In December 2024, the Australian Government released its long-awaited response to the Senate Inquiry into Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), the detailed report of which was released in March 2021.
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FASD United (USA) - FASD Researcher Dr. Jeffrey Wozniak on the Role of CIFASD and Interventions for Families
Dr. Wozniak is a longtime FASD researcher.  He discusses the value of the CIFASD initiative in building collaborations and his latest research on brain stimulation as an intervention for children and adolescents, MRI as a diagnostic tool, and the role of white matter in FASD.
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FASD Hub Australia - Celebrating some of the many wonderful women working to raise awareness of FASD
On International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, we’re celebrating four amazing women whose wisdom, dedication and generous support has contributed to the success of the FASD Hub Australia over the past eight years
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Able to Care Podcast - Foetal Alcohol (Syndrome) Spectrum Disorder and FASD Assistance Dogs: Transforming FASD care
In this powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker speaks with Alison McCormack, a retired independent social work consultant and leading advocate for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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CAMH Education - What We Know About FASD: Prevention, Treatment, and Support
In this presentation, Dr. Nancy Poole shares the FASD prevention, diagnosis and intervention/support that has been generated by researchers, service providers, system planners, families, and communities across Canada who are connected to the CanFASD Research Network.
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clarefmTV - Over 9,000 People Living In Clare With Undiagnosed FASD
Clare County Council has heard calls for training on recognising FASD to be included in the curriculum for third level education. Upwards of 9,000 people are thought to be currently living with the disorder in Clare, despite not receiving a full diagnosis of the condition.
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CanFASD - Cross-Sectoral Alcohol Policy and Healthy Beginnings: Examples from Two Provinces
This webinar recording focusing on how two provinces, Manitoba and Newfoundland, have harnessed policy collaboration to increase governmental and community supports for people with FASD and who may be at risk of alcohol use during pregnancy.
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FASD Hub Scotland and FASD Hub UK - Wednesday Webinar: Meet the FASD Hub Team
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Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - identity & FASD
In episode 73 of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper engages in a heartfelt panel discussion with returning guests Antonia Rathbun Lindsay and R.J. Formanek.
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RESEARCH
Acta Pediatrica - Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Pilot Study in Western Sweden
The lowest prevalence estimate of FASD in Sweden is similar to that found in other European countries, and four orders of magnitude more common than the prevalence of the diagnosis in official hospital records.
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Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability - Healthcare utilisation and characteristics of adults with fetal alcohol syndrome: a descriptive population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada
Adults with FAS require accessible and extensive healthcare services to address their complex needs and improve long-term outcomes.
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Journal of Education, Health and Sport - The Influence of FASD on Psychiatric Disorders
A Literature Review on the Mechanisms Relating Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to Mental Health Conditions in Adulthood.
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Neuropediatrics - First evidence-based guideline for interventions in FASD
The German guideline is the first internationally to provide evidence-based recommendations for interventions in children and adolescents with FASD.
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SciELO Brazil - Alcohol consumption among pregnant women in Brazilian capitals: How many, where, and who are they?
These findings emphasize the need for focused preventive strategies targeting the most vulnerable groups to mitigate alcohol consumption and its associated risks during pregnancy.
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Neurotoxicology and Teratology - Substance use and mental health symptoms in adults with prenatal alcohol exposure
This is one of the only studies to examine rates of alcohol and other substance use among adults in mid-life with PAE. Results suggest that relationships between PAE, substance use, and mental health symptoms are complex, and it will be important for future studies to examine factors associated with high-risk substance use among this vulnerable population.
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International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Alcohol-Exposed Pregnancy Risk, Mental Health, Self-Understanding, and Relational Connections Among Urban Native American Young Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic had a disproportionate impact on American Indian and Alaska Native (“Native”) communities, including factors impacting alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP) risk.
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Journal of advanced nursing - Examining Alcohol Screening Rates During Pregnancy and Documentation of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in a Public Health District in Australia
Almost all pregnancies were screened at the antenatal care booking; however, the number of alcohol-exposed pregnancies might be underestimated due to current alcohol use being screened.
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Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience - Hyperactivity in male and female mice manifests differently following early, acute prenatal alcohol exposure and mild juvenile stress
Chronic prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and severe juvenile stress independently contribute to hyperactive and depressive behavioral phenotypes, with their combination exacerbating these effects.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Chaos im Kopf Podcast - Dein FASD Podcast (Germany) - Anders anders – Die Kölner FASD Peergroup (80)
In dieser Episode spreche ich mit Joyce, Jacqueline sowie den Teamerinnen Roxy und Sabine von der Kölner FASD Peer Group „Anders Anders“. Die Gruppe bietet jungen Menschen mit fetalen Alkohol-Spektrum-Störungen (FASD) einen geschützten Raum für Austausch, Verständnis und gemeinsame Aktivitäten.
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Ketju (Finland) - ”Nyt ymmärrän, miksi lapsemme toimii siten kuin toimii.” Koulutuksellinen vertaisviikonloppu FASD-lasten ja -nuorten sijais- ja adoptiovanhemmille on edullinen ja vaikuttava tukimuoto
Monella FASD-lasten ja -nuorten vanhempien vertaisviikonloppuun osallistujalla on ennen viikonloppua ollut tunne, että heiltä puuttuu jotain oleellista tietoa siitä, miten toimia vanhempana oikein.
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Friday, March 14, 2025

Alcohol News - 11/2025

UNM News - Last call: Can a higher alcohol tax save lives?
So, what’s the solution? In the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, titled, “How a Higher Alcohol Tax Could Save Lives,” a University of New Mexico (UNM) economics professor offers a data-driven answer: raising the alcohol tax.
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World Health Organization (WHO) - “I feel so much healthier in my body and my mind without alcohol” – Svenja’s story
Svenja, age 24, works at an artificial intelligence (AI) startup in Berlin, Germany. She is also Germany’s first content creator for sober living. Growing up in the north of the country, drinking alcohol seemed like the norm. Yet Svenja realized that alcohol was damaging her physical and mental health. Two years ago, she made the decision to stop drinking for good.
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Pew Research Center (USA) - How Americans view alcohol’s benefits and risks
About seven-in-ten Americans ages 21 and older say they drink alcohol at least a few times a year, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
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BBC (Wales) - Alcohol-related deaths increase to record level in Wales
Alcohol-related deaths have risen to a new record high in Wales, health officials have said. A Public Health Wales report recorded 562 deaths in Wales in 2023 which is a 15.6% increase from the previous year.
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CBS News - Letting teens drink alcohol at home may lead to heavier alcohol use as young adults, study finds
Some parents might think that letting their teenager try alcohol at home under supervision can diminish curiosity about alcohol and help promote safe drinking.
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Otago Daily Times (New Zealand) - Alcohol claims rejected
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (HNZ) has rubbished New Zealand Alcohol Beverages Council (NZABC) claims that beer, wine and spirits consumption is at an "all-time low", and Kiwis are more focused on their health and wellness.
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ZME Science (USA) - Over 1 in 3 Americans hurt by “second-hand drinking”
Alcohol use can affect your health, finances, and even your freedom. But it’s not just about direct use. In a new study, researchers quantified the second-hand use effect that alcohol and drugs have on people’s families, friends, and even strangers.
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McMaster Optimal Aging Portal - Alcohol and aging: Understanding and recognizing at-risk drinking
Did you know that at-risk drinking is more prevalent among older adults than any other age group and likely plays a significant role in harms such as falls and motor vehicle accidents?
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IAS Blog - Rainbow-washing or genuine allyship? How alcohol companies target the LGBTQ+ community
Compelling evidence from countries including the United Kingdom (Meads et al., 2023), the United States (Schuler & Collins, 2020) Australia (McNair et al., 2016) and Aotearoa New Zealand (Surace et al., 2019) indicates that LGBTQ+ people consume alcohol in significantly higher quantities and with greater frequency than heterosexual and cisgender people.
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ADF (Australia) - Drinking, medications, illicit drugs and older Australians
As we age, our bodies can become more sensitive to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). This can increase our chances of injury and disease.
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The Local (Spain) - Spain to breathalyse at schools and ban alcohol branding to stem underage drinking
The Spanish government wants to pass legislation aimed at restricting access and dissuading alcohol consumption among children and teenagers, as well as cracking down on alcohol advertising and public drinking more generally.
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NordAN (Norway) - Your boss is probably hungover more often than you
In a new survey conducted by Respons Analyse for the Akan Competence Center, 14% of Norwegian employees reported being less effective at work due to alcohol consumption the previous day.
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NordAN (Finland) - Population's opinions on alcohol policy have further tightened – fewer people support wine sales in grocery stores
Fifty-four percent of the population finds the current alcohol policy appropriate, while 17 percent would prefer a stricter policy. Twenty percent of respondents would like a more liberal alcohol policy. These findings emerge from the Alcohol Policy Opinions survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).
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NordAN (Finland) - Helsinki's Tsemppi model awarded: 77% of elderly participants reduced alcohol use
The "Good Practice in Social Work" award has been given to the Tsemppi model in Helsinki. Tsemppi is a social rehabilitation initiative for elderly individuals facing challenges related to substance use or mental health.
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Alcohol and Cancer - Alcohol and digestive cancers: how ethanol contributes to gastrointestinal tumor development
A recent study published in the Journal of Translational Gastroenterology examines the acute and chronic effects of ethanol on the digestive system, highlighting its role in alcohol-related cancers.
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Friday, March 7, 2025

Alcohol News - 10/2025

Alcohol and Society - When less is more – REPORT
Alcohol causes significant health and social harm in Sweden and globally. While debates on low-level consumption persist, research shows its benefits are minimal compared to the risks. The impact of alcohol depends on the amount, drinking patterns, and duration of use.
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Medical Xpress (Canada) - 18-year study shows a rapid rise in alcohol-related organ damage in young Canadian population
Kingston Health Sciences Center and Queen's University researchers analyzed trends in alcohol-related organ damage among adolescents and young adults, identifying a significant rise in cases over the past two decades.
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Massey University of New Zealand - Research shows authentic communication reduces risky teen drinking
The research team includes Dr Alexandra Hess and Dr Sarah Dodds from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Dr David Jaud from Adelaide University and Dr Claire Garnier and Professor Olivier Gergaud from Kedge Business School in France.
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Medical Xpress - Alcohol use leads to earlier brain aging and impaired behavioral flexibility, even in early adulthood
Alcohol use leads to earlier brain aging and impaired behavioral flexibility, with those effects detectable even among adults in their 20s and 30s, according to an innovative study.
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Irish Examiner (Ireland) - 'The 0.0 makes 0.0 difference': Protest calls for action on zero-alcohol advertising at sports events
The Government has been urged to “close the loophole” allowing the advertising of zero-alcohol drinks at the likes of Ireland rugby games, when the law prohibits promotion of full-strength alcohol at such events.
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UNM Newsroom - Wanna bet? New research showcases correlation between sports gambling & drinking
March Madness, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Super Bowl—these iconic events have one thing in common beyond the thrill of the game: Americans can now bet on virtually every aspect of the action.
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Rappler - Socialized burden, privatized profits: The real cost of alcohol and Tobacco
The true cost of alcohol and tobacco goes far beyond what’s on the price tag. A P55 can of beer or a P150 pack of cigarettes seems inexpensive, but society pays the real price — lives lost to disease, a strained healthcare system, and economic losses from workers who die too soon or are too sick to work.
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Movendi - Why Alcohol Use Grows Among Women
The reasons for growing alcohol consumption among women vary based on multiple sociological and demographic factors. For example, certain reasons for alcohol use differ between middle-class women and working-class women.
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FARE Australia (Australia) - There’s a proposal to extend alcohol ads on TV – how did it come about and where is it at?
We’ve spent months engaging with communities and meeting with health and children’s organisations to hear how concerned they are with the proposed changes to the Commercial TV Industry Code of Practice.
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The Conversation (Australia) - Alcohol and gambling firms donate to political parties multiple times. And new rules won’t stop them
Good quality information about when and how alcohol and gambling industries try to influence government decision making should be easily accessible. But in Australia, it’s not.
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BBC (UK) - Alcohol fuels more than half of city centre crimes
More than half of violent crimes reported in York city centre are fuelled by alcohol, according to a police report. Councillors will be told that 1,005 violent crimes were recorded in the area between April 2023 and March 2024.
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LSM (Latvia) - Latvia to consider raising legal drinking age again
On Thursday, March 6, the Saeima handed over the citizens' initiative "Alcohol from the age of 21" to the Government for consideration. It should be noted that similar amendments did not find support in the Saeima recently.
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NordAN (Finland) - Intoxicated drivers cause over one-third of fatal road traffic accidents in Finland
Between 2014 and 2023, nearly 1,500 fatal motor vehicle accidents occurred in road traffic. Of these accidents, 37 percent were caused by intoxicated drivers. Two-thirds of the drivers responsible for fatal crashes showed signs of substance dependence.
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NordAN (Denmark) - Alkohol & Samfund: Danes believe we drink too much
Alcohol consumption in Denmark is too high, according to three out of four people. Excessive drinking is particularly common in nightlife settings, where the availability of alcohol-free options is also low, a new population survey by Alkohol & Samfund reveals.
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Sunday, March 2, 2025

FASD News - 9/2025

FASD United - Supporting a Pregnant Loved One Who May be Using Alcohol
At FASD United, we are often approached about what to do when a person’s family member or loved one is pregnant and may be using alcohol.  We appreciate the instinct to help, and we empathize with the complex emotions that arise out of this situation.
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) - FASD diagnoses are rare. But with the right support, kids can thrive
He was about five when his parents explained he had fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, or FASD. His biological mum drank alcohol when she was pregnant.
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Texas A&M Today - Parental Alcohol Use Linked To Increased Cancer Risk In Children, Texas A&M Researchers Find
New research from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences has discovered that parents who chronically abuse alcohol can pass along adverse effects that increase their children’s susceptibility to cancer — especially in the liver.
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Clare Echo (Ireland) - Clare councillors want HSE to officially recognise FASD
ONE OF Clare’s newest councillors is leading the campaign to have Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD) officially recognised by the HSE.
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SunLive (New Zealand) - Fetal Alcohol births petition given to Parliament
A petition aiming to reduce the number of babies born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has been presented to Parliament.
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Medical Xpress - Even low levels of alcohol use during pregnancy are linked to changes in unborn babies
New research shows that occasional exposure to alcohol may influence facial shape and brain development.
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Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) - VIDEO: Growing concerns youth behind bars are living with undiagnosed FASD
There are growing concerns that many young Australians in jail are living with undiagnosed fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
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The Irish Independent (Ireland) - 'A hidden disability' – high numbers of newborns exposed to drugs and alcohol
Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Kerry and Louth are among the counties that have collectively identified several ­hundred newborns who were exposed to alcohol or drugs in the womb, although the real figure could be much higher.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Beyond 6 Seconds - Late FASD Diagnosis
In my latest episode, Jessica talks about how getting her Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnosis gave her "hope for a different future."
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Beyond 6 Seconds - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – with Jessica Birch
Jessica Birch is a national advocate and speaker living on the South East Coast of Australia. Since her late diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at the age of 33, she has turned her attention to awareness building and education to create a better understanding of the prevalence and consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure in Australia.
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Saskatchewan Prevention Institute - Working Towards FASD Prevention Within Pregnant Populations Facing Multiple Barriers to Health
Identify evidence-based resources to share with clients and patients to help decrease or prevent alcohol use during pregnancy.
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CanFASD - An Introduction to the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation and Implications for FASD
In Canada, there are ongoing efforts to evaluate the uptake of evidence-based alcohol policies at the provincial, territorial, and federal level.
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CanFASD - 'What is Your Superpower?: Growing and Glowing with FASD' Book Reading
Hannah Denberg gives a live reading of her beloved children’s book, ‘What is Your Superpower?: Growing and Glowing with FASD’.
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Patricia Kasper, Your FASD Coach - The FASD Meliorists: Legacy Work Authors Making a Difference
In the exciting season opener of Living with FASD, host Patti Kasper returns after a four-month hiatus, eager to reconnect with her audience and share candid conversations about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
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CanFASD - Canada’s Guidance on Alcohol and Health: Knowledge Mobilization and Uptake Two-Years Later
In 2023, Canada’s new Guidance on Alcohol and Health was introduced, offering evidence-based advice on alcohol to support people in making informed decisions about their alcohol use and their health.
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Brant FASD Support Group - Dan Dubovsky - The Brain-Behavior Connection in FASD: Informing Ways to Reach Optimal Potential
Dan Dubovsky joins Contact Brant to provide training and insight into the complex world of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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Angela Geddes | Integrative Support & Wellness - EPISODE #98: Understanding and Supporting Students with FASD
Our latest podcast episode explores "Understanding and Supporting Students with FASD: A Practical Guide for Educators," offering real-world strategies to foster emotional regulation, reduce stigma, and create classroom environments where students feel safe, understood, and empowered.
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Real Parents - Being Real Parents - Foetal alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) with Karena Findlay
Anna and Kate are joined by Karena Findlay from Succeed Differently. They talk about all things Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) - how it occurs, what to look for and what we can do as parents and teachers to support tamariki affected by FASD.
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James Trail | Trauma Informed Care Resources - FASD & Trauma: Understanding the Root of Big Behaviors
Parenting kids who have experienced trauma or live with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) comes with unique challenges. In this episode, Meredith sits down with Barb Clark, Director of Training at Families Rising, to discuss parenting strategies that work, the power of connection, and how understanding brain-based differences can transform the way we support kids.
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RESEARCH
DIGITAL HEALTH - Design of a mobile application for universal screening for women of child-bearing age engaged in comprehensive addiction and recovery environments (WE-CARE) for substance use and women from the general population
Results from the formative research studies were used to inform the design and development of the WE-CARE app prototype.
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Current Psychiatry Reports - Modifying the Use of Alcohol and Cigarettes in the Antepartum
Prenatal alcohol and cigarette smoking are common in the US and pending effective intervention strategies that may be informed by international research.
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International Journal of Molecular Sciences - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Disrupts CXCL16 Expression in Rat Hippocampus: Temporal and Sex Differences
These findings shed light on the role of chemokines in hippocampal neuroplasticity and may pave the way for better treatment of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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Archives de Pédiatrie - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and health professionals’ awareness of the syndrome: A comparison of practitioners’ knowledge in two french regions
This study points out the heterogeneity of healthcare professionals' knowledge of FASD within each region. It highlights the challenge of informing, training and orienting mothers and their children in an appropriate manner.
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International Journal of Law and Psychiatry  - An updated systematic review of the literature on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and the criminal legal system
The purpose of this article was to update a 2018 systematic review of literature on this intersection of FASD and the CLS. We searched ten academic databases for studies with people with FASD involved in the CLS, as well as caregivers and service providers who support them.
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Scientific Reports - Substance use during pregnancy and childhood dental caries: a Brazilian cohort study
This study aimed to evaluate the association between substance use during pregnancy (SUDP) and dental caries considering the Tooth Development Hypothesis and the Behavioral Hypothesis.
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Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse - Resilience moderates the association between discrimination distress on substance use expectancies among Latinx adolescents
The results showed that resilience plays an important protective role against positive substance use expectancies for early Latinx adolescents who experience discrimination distress.
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PloS one - Effect of prenatal alcohol consumption on dental enamel formation in offspring—An animal study protocol
The etiology of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) remains incompletely understood. Prenatal alcohol exposure has been proposed as a potential risk factor for DDE.
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The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition - Choline enhances elicited imitation memory performance in preschool children with prenatal alcohol exposure: a cumulative report of 3 randomized controlled trials
The results support choline as a neurodevelopmental intervention for improvement of memory in young children exposed to alcohol prenatally.
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Neurochemistry International - Dysregulation of immune system markers, gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production following prenatal alcohol exposure: A developmental perspective
This study takes an ontogenetic approach to evaluate PAE-induced alterations to brain and serum cytokine levels and both the composition and metabolic output of the gut microbiota.
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JCI insight - Prenatal alcohol exposure is associated with altered feto-placental blood flow and sex-specific placental changes
PAE around conception is associated with reduced CPR and altered placental growth measures, particularly in males, with potential implications for future health.
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JAMA Pediatrics - Low to Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Facial Shape of Children at Age 6 to 8 Years
Low to moderate prenatal alcohol exposure was associated with subtle facial shape variations, but a linear dose-response association was not supported by the findings.
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International Health - Effect of prenatal alcohol consumption on maternal anemia among pregnant women in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia: a retrospective cohort study
This study revealed that anemia during pregnancy continues to be a public health concern. Regardless of timing, there is a clear association between prenatal alcohol consumption and anemia during pregnancy that suggests a need for targeted prenatal alcohol use screening, and ongoing intervention for alcoholic pregnant women.
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Neuropediatrics - First evidence-based guideline for interventions in FASD
The aim of the German guideline version 2024 is to provide validated and evidence-based recommendations on interventions for children and adolescents with FASD.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Venezolana de Televisión (Venezuela) - Actitud Saludable | Trastorno del espectro alcohólico fetal (FASD)
Para este nueva emisión de Actitud Saludable su conductora Anabell Estrada, les tiene preparado un programa en el cual estará tratando junto al pediatra, Johnny Marante, el tema del trastorno del espectro alcohólico fetal (FASD), que es un conjunto de discapacidades físicas, mentales y conductuales que se producen cuando el bebé está expuesto al alcohol durante el embarazo y pueden durar toda la vida.
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Anja Cantzler (Germany) - Folge 65: Verständnisvoll begleiten - Kinder mit FASD in der Kita
In der heutigen Folge der Kita Talks bin ich mit Ulrike Altmann im Gespräch. Ulrike ist Sozialpädagogin und systemischer Elterncoach. Gemeinsam haben wir über das Thema: Verständnisvoll begleiten - Umgang mit Kindern mit FASD in der Kita gesprochen.
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FH Münster (Germany) - Hochschulzertifikatskurs „FASD-Fachkraft“
Alkoholkonsum der Mutter in der Schwangerschaft kann für die betroffenen Kinder lebenslange Folgen haben. Da die Symptome sehr variabel ausgeprägt sein können, wird heute der Terminus Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) verwendet.
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Chaos im Kopf Podcast - Dein FASD Podcast (Germany) - FASD in der Pflegefamilie - Einblicke von Geschwistern (C79)
In dieser Episode von Chaos im Kopf spreche ich mit zwei jungen Frauen, die als leibliche Kinder in einer Pflegefamilie aufgewachsen sind, in der Pflegekinder mit FASD aufgenommen wurden.
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