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Sunday, December 23, 2018

FASD News - 51/2018

The Conversation UK (UK) - The problem of drinking in pregnancy – and what to do about it
Last year, it was reported that the UK has one of the worst rates of drinking while pregnant in Europe. These figures come from a study which shows 41% of women in the UK drank alcohol during their pregnancy.
Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences News (USA) - Study Focuses on Effects of Prenatal Alcohol and Drug Use
The National Institutes of Health is funding researchers in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology to study the effects of drinking, smoking and marijuana use during pregnancy.
Mirage News (Australia) - Safer Communities and Generational Change: NT Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy
The Territory Labor Government is investing in generational change, today releasing the Territorys first Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy to prevent and reduce its devastating impacts in our community.
Glasgow Live (UK) - Women trying for a baby advised to cut the fizz out this Christmas
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has issued advice to couples looking to conceive - and it means cutting out those Christmas party drinks.
TimesLIVE (South Africa) - Introducing substance use and abuse in SA brain behaviour and other perspectives
Substance abuse is an enormous social problem in South Africa, as elsewhere. But in South Africa in particular, tik (crystal meth, or methamphetamine) and alcohol are devastating society, aggravating poverty and crime, and contributing to child abuse and gender violence.

VIDEOS and MATERIAL
AlcoholFreePregnancy - Dr. Elizabeth Barlet shares her family story and works to prevent FASD
Watch Dr. Elizabeth Barlet share her experience of having a child with FASD, and her work as an ob-gyn to prevent FASD. Visit www.acog.org/alcohol for more information.
AlcoholFreePregnancy - Vanessa Parisi on the Obgyn's role in Preventing FASD
Visit www.nofas.org and www.acog.org/alcohol for more information.
PreventionInstitute1 - FASD Realities and Possibilities - the Myles Himmelreich Story
Myles Himmelreich is a young man who lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. He eloquently speaks about his experiences, including both his challenges and his many successes.
SENTIMENT E - Recovering Hope: FASD (Documentary)
8 women tell poignant stores about their children w/ FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorders) and how they’re learning effective new ways to parent.
Program Lead CAPCCPNPNetwork - Network Archive Webinar FASD Education: Dec2018
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – Ontario Network of Expertise, Education Action Group is dedicated to helping educators and caregivers understand the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the learning and behaviour of children and youth in our child care and education facilities across the province.
Bridgeway Family Homes - FASD PT. 1 November 2018
Bridgeway In-Service Training with Amanda Rawn-Alton
NoFASD Australia - NEW FASD RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS
The Marulu FASD Strategy recently launched their new book Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and complex trauma: A resource for educators.

RESEARCH
Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy - Changes to the somatosensory barrel cortex in C57BL/6J mice at early adulthood (56 days post-natal) following prenatal alcohol exposure
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) have impaired sensory processing skills as a result of neurodevelopmental anomalies. The somatosensory barrel field of rodent brain is a readily accessible model for studying the effects of alcohol exposure.
Current Opinion in Psychiatry - Diagnosis and management of foetal alcohol specturm disorder
Our understanding of the diagnosis and management of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), has been increasingly refined in the last 45 years: This review highlights current understanding and identifies future areas for research.
Alcoholism - Detecting neurodevelopomental effects of early‐gestation ethanol exposure: a non‐human primate model of ethanol drinking during pregnancy
This FASD model takes advantage of the similarities between humans and rhesus macaques in gestational length relative to brain development, as well as similarities in ethanol self‐administration and metabolism.
Advances in Dual Diagnosis - An evidence-based training and support course for caregivers of children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in New Zealand
A short evidence-based specialist training course for parents and caregivers with an empowerment and peer-support orientation is beneficial to parenting children with FASD.
PsyArXiv - Identifying psychosocial determinants related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy: a systematic literature review
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an important global health problem in need of prevention. For FASD prevention it is important to understand why pregnant women engage or do not engage in drinking alcohol.
Emerald Publishing Limited - Finding answers, improving outcomes: a case study of the Canada fetal alcohol spectrum disorder research network
A case study approach was undertaken to describe the network whose main focus and purpose is specifically research related to FASD.
Northern Territory Government of Australia - Addressing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Northern Territory – 2018-2024
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong condition which is entirely preventable, by not consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Our vision for the future is that no children are born with this preventable disability.
Read more
Journal of Nursing Student Scholarship - FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS (FASD): PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS THROUGH AMBASSADORS AND COLLABORATION
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are a group of health conditions caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Alcohol use by pregnant women is a global public health issue with lifelong consequences to the baby.
Frontiers in Neurology - The Early Developmental Outcomes of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Review
The outcomes related to lower levels of prenatal alcohol exposure as well as outcomes in specific developmental domains, are poorly understood. Further research should aim to clarify the more subtle or less easily measurable manifestations of prenatal alcohol exposure on early development when the potential for greatest impact of interventions is highest.
Advances in Dual Diagnosis - Responding to FASD: what social and community service professionals do in the absence of diagnostic services and practice standards
This research expands the knowledge base for social and community service practice in contexts where FASD maybe a factor contributing to poor health and well-being outcomes for clients.
Advances in Dual Diagnosis - Stigma as a dominant discourse in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
This paper highlights the issue of FASD and stigma through identification of relevant literature and expands the conversation to offer insights into the challenging terrain that individuals with FASD must navigate.
Academic Forensic Pathology - Investigating Mechanisms of Stillbirth in the Setting of Prenatal Substance Use
More research is needed to understand the biologic mechanisms of stillbirth. Such knowledge will be foundational to understanding how to prevent and treat the adverse effects of substances during pregnancy.
Birth Defects Research - Prenatal alcohol exposure prevalence as measured by direct ethanol metabolites in meconium in a Native American tribe of the southwest
Results of this study on the prevalence of PAE in the Navajo Nation, obtained for the first time with an objective comprehensive panel of meconium biomarkers, indicate that the rates in the NBCS may be comparable to the general U.S. population and are in accord with recent U.S. national survey estimates.
Behavioural brain Research - Moderate prenatal alcohol exposure impairs performance by adult male rats in an object-place paired-associate task
Moderate PAE and SACC control rats exhibited comparable performance. The results suggest that moderate PAE rats can learn to discriminate objects, but are impaired when required to discriminate between objects on the basis of spatial location in the environment.
The International Journal of Children's Rights - Does Ireland Measure Up? Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and the Application of Protection Rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
This article examines protection rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 (crc) and assesses the extent to which such protection rights are afforded to prenatal children in Ireland in the context of prenatal exposure to alcohol.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Radio PiK (Poland) - By lepiej zrozumieć specyfikę dziecka z FASD
O wspieraniu dzieci z diagnozą FASD, czyli Spektrum Poalkoholowych Uszkodzeń Płodu, rozmawiali dziś specjaliści w Toruniu. Spotkanie było też okazją też okazja do podsumowania działań Centrum Diagnozy i Terapii FASD oraz czuwającego nad bardziej skuteczną i kompleksową pomocą pracownika kluczowego.
Lokalkompass.de (Germany) - Aufklärung über die Fetale Alkoholspektrumstörung
Die Eltern von Kindern, Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen mit FASD verbindet ein gemeinsames Thema. Das Hilfesystem versagt ihnen die notwendige Unterstützung, obwohl ihre Kinder, egal in welchem Alter, darauf Anspruch haben.
Osservatorio Malattie Rare (Italy) - Sindrome feto-alcolica, A.I.D.E.F.A.D. chiede che non sia chiuso il Centro Alcologico del Lazio
Pochi giorni fa, l'Associazione Italiana Disordini da Esposizione Fetale ad Alcol e/o Droghe (A.I.D.E.F.A.D. - APS), organizzazione che si occupa di informare l’opinione pubblica sulle disabilità e i problemi derivanti dall’uso di bevande alcoliche durante la gravidanza, ha inviato una lettera aperta ai vertici della Regione Lazio per esprimere il proprio disappunto in merito alla prevista chiusura del CRARL
Neue Westfälische (Germany) - Alkohol in der Schwangerschaft: Lisa M. wird nie sein wie andere
Hartnäckig hält sich in der Gesellschaft die Idee, ein bisschen Alkohol in der Schwangerschaft schade schon nicht. Ein fataler Irrglaube, wie das Beispiel einer Betroffenen zeigt

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Alcohol News - 51/2018

Fortune (USA) - Trump Administration Blocks Tax Breaks for Alcohol Companies
The Trump Administration finalized a regulation Monday that limits the ability of U.S. wineries and global alcohol companies to reduce their import taxes, a move which the government says is to prevent the companies from double-dipping on tax breaks, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The Verge - Teens are turning away from cigarettes and alcohol and toward vaping
Teens are better-behaved than ever when it comes to alcohol and drugs, but seem to have turned to vaping as their vice of choice, according to results from a nationally representative survey of adolescent drug use.
CBC.ca (Canada) - Health Canada takes steps to restrict amount of alcohol allowed in sugary premixed beverages
Health Canada is taking steps to reduce the amount of alcohol allowed in the potent, sugary, premixed drinks that the agency says are becoming a growing risk to public health, especially for young people.
NEWS.com.au (Australia) - Alcohol 'largest preventable' issue in Eds
One-in-seven people in Australian emergency departments on the weekend were there because of alcohol-related harm, a new survey suggests.
The Conversation AU (Australia) - Children’s health hit for six as industry fails to regulate alcohol ads
Australia is kicking off another summer of cricket. And if watching the series is a family affair, you may be concerned with the alcohol advertisements your children are being exposed to.
Townhall (China) - Chinese Universities to Ban Alcohol
University administrators across China have taken steps to ban alcohol on the campuses of universities outright even when students are of the legal drinking age. In the communist nation, the drinking age is currently set at 18, but many argue that the law isn't enforced.
Express.co.uk (UK) - Alcohol-related hospital cases hit 1 million
MORE than one million people are admitted to hospital every year with alcohol-related problems - double that of 10 years ago.
Science News - Drinking studies muddied the waters around the safety of alcohol use
For people who enjoy an occasional cocktail, 2018 was a sobering year. Headlines delivered the news with stone-cold certainty: Alcohol — in any amount — is bad for your health. “The safest level of drinking is none,” a group of scientists concluded.
World Health Organization (EU) - Joint WHO-EU project reveals difficult truths about alcohol consumption in Europe
The “Monitoring of national policies related to alcohol consumption and harm reduction” project (MOPAC) held its final meeting in Edinburgh on 19 November, where it presented its findings, which indicate that the harm caused by alcohol is still significant, and that reducing it will require increased efforts.
EurasiaNet (Turkmenistan) - Turkmenistan opens new front on alcohol in health drive
Turkmenistan has adopted strict new rules on where and when alcohol can be sold as part of what the government says is an attempt to promote healthy living.
BradfordToday (Canada) - New mandatory alcohol screening for drivers starts today
With Part 2 of Bill C-46 coming into effect tomorrow (Dec. 18, 2018), the Ontario Provincial Police will begin to exercise new authority for investigating impaired drivers on Ontario roads.
BBC News (Scotland) - Scottish Borders public alcohol ban by-law fate in the balance
A Scottish council is being asked to decide the fate of proposed by-laws banning the consumption of alcohol in public places.
EurekAlert - Internet-based interventions can help reduce problem drinking
Internet-based interventions may be effective in curbing various patterns of adult problem drinking in both community and health care settings, according to a study published December 18 in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine by Heleen Riper of VU University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and colleagues.
NSW Government (Australia) - Alcohol and driving
You don’t have to be drunk to be affected by alcohol. You might feel normal but no one drives well after drinking alcohol.
The New York Times (USA) - N.I.H. to Scrutinize Private Donations to Scientific Research Projects
After halting a discredited alcohol study, officials will enforce new policies to ensure that private support does not compromise scientific integrity.
Express - Drinking too much alcohol can lead to THREE different types of cancer
DRINKING too much alcohol can have a devastating impact on the body. If you drink more than 14 units a week you are at increased risk of developing cancer.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Alcohol News - 50/2018

Science Codex (Australia) - More taxes on alcohol as a way to tackle obesity
We don’t often equate the kilojoules we drink in our glass of wine or pint of beer with the weight that accumulates around our middle. But our new study shows increasing the price of alcohol is the most value for money policy option to prevent obesity in Australia.
Washington Post - Shaken not slurred: James Bond had ‘a severe chronic alcohol problem,’ public health experts say
Public health experts at the University of Otago in New Zealand analyzed Bond films from 1962 to 2015 to better understand his patterns of alcohol use.
The Korea Herald (Suth Korea) - Alcohol addiction increasing among youth: report
The number of youths getting treated for alcohol addiction neared 2,000 last year, doubling from seven years ago, a report said Wednesday.
Marie Claire - A Doctor Reveals The Effects That Drinking Alcohol Has On Your Skin
For a lot of us, Christmas party season means one thing: a significant increase in booze consumption (and hangovers). As well as making us feel worse for wear the next day, a lot of *big* nights out can take a toll on our physical health, including that of our skin.
The Diplomat (Japan) - Japan’s Crackdown On Drunk Pilots Uncovers Rampant Alcohol-Related Misconduct
Japan Ministry of Transport has launched an overhaul of the aviation industry’s lax alcohol testing standards after an intoxicated co-pilot attempted to board an international flight in London. The embarrassing incident not only made worldwide headlines but exposed the lack of legal frameworks regulating Japan’s aviation industry’s drinking policies.
News-Medical.net - Study finds upward link between alcohol consumption and physical activity in college students
Upending conventional wisdom that physical activity can be a healthy deterrent to alcohol consumption, University of Houston Moores professor of psychology Clayton Neighbors is examining the relationship between the two in college students. In prior work, Neighbors concluded that as activity goes up, so does drinking.
The Straits Times (Singapore) - More people in Singapore struggling with alcohol abuse, but seeking help earlier: Study
A mental health study has shown that while alcohol abuse is a growing problem here, sufferers have been seeking help earlier.
The Star, Kenya (Kenya) - Alcohol is the most abused drug in Kenya — Chipukeezy
Nacada board member Chipukeezy on Monday said alcohol is still the number one most abused drug in Kenya.
South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) - Almost half of the Hongkongers who consume alcohol go binge drinking, survey finds
Almost half of the Hongkongers who drank alcohol between August and November went binge drinking at least once, according to a survey by a cancer awareness group.
Glasgow Live (Scotland) - Alcohol related deaths in Glasgow still higher than Scottish average
More than half of the alcohol related deaths reported throughout NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in 2017 were recorded in the city.
Mirror.co.uk - Health risks of alcohol mean it should be treated like a drug
Around 2.4 billion people globally drink alcohol, a drug which alters perception and ­depresses brain function – and now we know the only safe level of consumption is zero.
RACGP (Australia) - Up to a quarter of ED presentations are alcohol-related: Report
‘Emergency departments are becoming like pubs’: One in four weekend emergency department presentations at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne occurred following alcohol consumption.
BlogActiv (EU) - Recovery from Alcohol Abuse in EU
Retaining the unenviable ‘title’ as the world’s heaviest drinkers for more than a decade now, Europeans have recognized the health consequences of alcohol consumption to the drinker and to those around him. The European Union and the World Health Organization have worked together to develop policies and programs to reduce the harms of excessive alcohol use across the whole EU.
The Conversation (UK) - The problem of drinking in pregnancy – and what to do about it
Last year, it was reported that the UK has one of the worst rates of drinking while pregnant in Europe. These figures come from a study which shows 41% of women in the UK drank alcohol during their pregnancy.
Medscape - Alcohol Abuse: Complications and Consequences
RTHK (Hong Kong) - Drinkers warned of cancer risk
The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society is warning that only 30 percent of Hong Kong people it surveyed are aware of the cancer risks of drinking.
SBS (Australia) - Alcohol causes nearly 6,000 Australian deaths in one year
Almost 6,000 Australians died from alcohol-attributable disease in a single year, about one every 90 minutes, according to new research as reported by Cancer Council in Western Australia.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Alcohol News - 49/2018

The Guardian (UK) - Alcohol-related deaths among UK women at highest rate in 10 years
Alcohol-related deaths among women in the UK have reached the highest rate since 2008, statistics have shown.
GOV.UK (UK) - Funding to help improve the lives of those affected by alcohol
A total of £10.5 million of funding is being allocated by Public Health England (PHE), to help improve the lives of adults and children impacted by alcohol.
New York Post (USA) - People drink twice as much alcohol over the holidays
The average American consumes double the amount of alcoholic drinks over the holidays than any other time of year, according to new research.
WABC-TV (USA) - Alcohol banned on railroads ahead of SantaCon in New York City
SantaCon is coming to town and several railroads are banning booze in hopes of reining in the holiday spirit.
Independent Community Newspaper (New Zealand) - Coroner calls for increase of alcohol purchasing age following death of drink-driving teen
A coroner is urging the Government to raise the drinking age to 20 after the death of a 19-year-old drink driver.
Times of Malta (Malta) - Motorists urged to completely abstain from alcohol
Motorists should abstain from alcohol completely as even a single drink could prove costly for themselves and others, the Health Promotion Unit is insisting.
Irish Examiner (Ireland) - Irish alcohol prices could rise 'significantly' in event of no deal Brexit
The price of alcohol could rise "significantly" for Irish and British customers if the EU-UK Brexit backstop deal fails to make it through a Westminster vote and a no deal crisis occurs.
WebMD - Fetal Alcohol Costs: $23,000 A Year Per Case
About 630,000 babies worldwide are born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) each year. They'll need care averaging $23,000 annually, new research suggests.
Canada NewsWire (Canada) - Government announces new alcohol-impaired driving laws will come into force
The Government of Canada has taken important steps to strengthen the criminal justice system to better protect Canadians from impaired driving.
Times of San Diego - Opinion: We Need to Stop Glamorizing The ‘Mommy Drinking’ Culture
Women and alcohol have a complicated relationship. When I wrote my thesis in the 1990s on how women are portrayed in advertising, I found that women were more likely to be portrayed as submissive characters to the dominant male lead.
MedicalXpress (UK) - First UK estimates of children who could have conditions caused by drinking in pregnancy
Up to 17 per cent of children could have symptoms consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) according to new research published today in Preventive Medicine.
South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) - Hong Kong could put health warnings on alcoholic drinks, health minister says after new rules on sales to minors
Health warnings could be put on beer cans and other alcoholic drinks in Hong Kong as the government considers its next step in an effort to curb binge drinking.
Radio NZ (New Zealand) - Mental health report's calls on alcohol 'terrific' – Sellman
The inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction is also recommending the government take immediate and strong action on the sale and supply of alcohol. In its report released on Monday, the panel said the government has already been presented with the evidence on how to reduce alcohol-related harm, and the main obstacle to alcohol law reform is a lack of political will.
Task and Purpose (USA) - Binge Drinking And Drunk Driving Are On The Rise Among Veterans
The number of veterans drinking and driving has increased nearly 60% since 2014, according to a study from American Addiction Centers.
Open Access Government (UK) - Car breathalysers supported by public to prevent drink driving
New research has revealed that 90% of drivers would support breathalysers being installed in cars to prevent drink driving.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

FASD News - 48/2018

University of Bristol (UK) - First UK estimates of children who could have conditions caused by drinking in pregnancy revealed
Up to 17 per cent of children could have symptoms consistent with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) according to new research published today (Friday 30 November) in Preventative Medicine.
Medical Xpress (USA) - Study shows high costs of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a common condition with a high economic impact in both children and adults, concludes an updated review in the Journal of Addiction Medicine, the official journal of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Australian government steps up efforts to fight Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
The Federal Government says it is intensifying efforts to address Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, announcing a new national approach and more than $7 million in new funding.
Canada NewsWire (Canada) - Government of Canada Supports National Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Mentoring Project for Indigenous Peoples Living Off Reserve
People born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can face life-long mental, physical, behavioural and learning disabilities. In Canada, FASD is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability, occurring when a fetus is exposed to alcohol during pregnancy.
Newshub (New Zealand) - Parents and social workers ask for more support for children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Parents and social workers are calling for greater support for children diagnosed with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and Government to recognise the condition as a special need or disability.
The Northern Echo (UK) - Middlesbrough academic's play warned of dangers of pregnancy drinking
AN ACADEMIC teamed up with a public health team to write a powerful new play warning young people about the dangers of drinking alcohol through pregnancy.
Valley Courier - Amarah's Corner: Effects of parental substance abuse on children and families, Part 2
Kids like me are kids and adults of all ages whose parents are, or were, drug addicts, and alcoholics; kids who have suffered, or who are suffering, abuse and neglect on multiple levels; and kids who are victims of bullying.
CBC (Canada) - 'He will die with no help': family issues plea for Edmonton teen gang member
Alberta's department of Children's Services says Aiden, who has fetal alcohol syndrome, frontal lobe damage and various psychological disorders, doesn't currently meet the criteria to receive treatment in a secure facility.
ABC (Australia) - They don't all belong in jail - how the justice system should treat young offenders with FASD
A Telethon Kids Institute report released earlier this year found one in three young offenders inside Banksia Hill Detention Centre has Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, also known as FASD.
BBC Radio 4 - Freya Ridings; Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Kindertransport Anniversary & Child Refugees
Sky News (UK) - One in five children may have foetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Up to one in five British children could have symptoms of a disorder caused by drinking in pregnancy, a landmark UK study has found.

VIDEOS AND MATERIALS
BBC - Effects of pregnant mothers drinking
Campaigners are calling for more research into how many children may be affected by the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) condition.
The FASD Elephant - Praise for Change Presentation
This is a super short presentation on Praise for Change delivered to the fine folks attending the 2nd Australasian FASD Conference 2018 in Perth, WA. For more info, check out www.PraiseForChange.com
Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders FASD Diagnosis and FASD Informed Care
IHDCYH Talks Entretiens de l'IDSEA - What it takes: Supporting loved ones with FASD
Dorothy Reid, Family Advisory Committee, Can FASD Research Network
AlcoholFreePregnancy - NOFAS Webinar: Putting the Pieces Together: Using Genes to Understand Variation in FASD
HOPE+RESQ / HOPE 27 - Sheriff Stuart
This is a small sample of an iterview with Sheriff Stuart that will part of a Criminal Justice story in relationship to FASD.
NOFASD (Australia) - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2ND AUSTRALASIAN FASD CONFERENCE
The 2nd Australasian FASD Conference was a huge success with over 350 delegates attending from a wide range of disciplines and countries. The conference was co-chaired by Professor Carol Bower and Professor Elizabeth Elliott. James Lush was the MC for the event and a beautiful welcome to country was delivered by Whadjuck/Barlardong Elder Marie Taylor.

RESEARCH
Preventive Medicine - Screening prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in a region of the United Kingdom: A population-based birth-cohort study
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are lifelong disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. Prenatal alcohol use is common in the UK, but FASD prevalence was unknown. Prevalence estimates are essential for informing FASD prevention, identification and support.
University of Toronto - The Effect of Embryonic Alcohol Exposure on Brain Function and Behavior in Zebrafish Strains
The biological mechanisms that underlie fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are complex and poorly understood. This thesis aims to investigate potential underlying mechanisms of FASD by using zebrafish as a model organism.
Frontiers in Genetics - Prenatal alcohol exposure: profiling developmental DNA methylation patterns in central and peripheral tissues
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) alters the development of neurobiological systems, leading to lasting neuroendocrine, neuroimmune, and neurobehavioral deficits.
University of Kentuky - Can Solidago Nemoralis Reduce Deficits Following Prenatal Ethanol Exposure in a Rodent Model
Existing studies suggest that drugs including Solidago nemoralis can reduce the effects of FASD by acting as an agonist on the alpha-7-nicotinic-acetylcholine-receptor. In the present study, ethanol was administered during a period of CNS development that overlaps the third trimester “brain growth spurt” of human pregnancy.
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Challenges in accurately assessing prenatal alcohol exposure in a study of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in a youth detention center
Accurately assessing prenatal alcohol consumption is challenging in any setting but it is exceptionally challenging when assessed 13‐17 years retrospectively as part of a FASD assessment for a young person sentenced to detention.
International Journal of Law and Psychiatry - Language diversity, language disorder, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among youth sentenced to detention in Western Australia
While studies confirm high prevalence of language disorder among justice-involved young people, little is known about the impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on language among this population.
Child and Youth Care: Disability Matters - From Blaming to Belonging: Re-examining Our Approach to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
European Journal of Public Health - Current practices of consulting drinking cessation during pregnancy among gynecologist in Slovenia: Marjetka Hovnik Kersmanc
The prenatal exposure to alcohol is one of the leading causes of congenital developmental disorders that could be completely prevented. Health care professionals in reproductive health care have an important role in detection of women at risk and in prenatal drinking cessation.
Acta Neuropsychiatrica - Effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on language, speech and communication outcomes: a review longitudinal studies
Evidence from the longitudinal studies reviewed suggest that PAE influenced delays in receptive and expressive communication up to 36 months. Contextual risk factors played a significant role in language development over time and especially as children approached school age.
Child abuse & neglect - Child protection reports and removals of infants diagnosed with prenatal substance exposure
Findings indicate that most infants diagnosed with PSE were not removed by CPS and minority PSE infants were not reported to CPS or removed by CPS more than white infants.
UiO - Pregnant substance abusers and their therapists in compulsory and voluntary treatment. A qualitative study: Intergenerational learning, attachment processes and the wish for a normal life.
This study explore similarities and differences in the reflective attachment to the unborn child with pregnant substance abusing women in both voluntary and compulsory treatment.
Nutrition Journal - Development and validation of a quantitative choline food frequency questionnaire for use with drinking and non-drinking pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa
To our knowledge, this is the first quantitative choline food frequency screening questionnaire to be developed and validated for use with both heavy and non-drinking pregnant women and the first to be used in the Cape Coloured community in South Africa.
Edorium Journals - Is mental health status related to alcohol use in pregnant women?
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a major health concern. The purpose of this study is to determine whether mental health status during pregnancy is related to alcohol use in pregnant women ages 21–35 years in the general population.
UGD Academic Repository - The relationship between mother’s lifestyle during pregnancy with the low birth weight
This research of lifestyle dimensions showed the importance and the role of lifestyle as an important determinant affecting birth weight, attention, and training interventions are important to promote healthy lifestyles in pregnant women.
Psychology of Addictive Behaviors - Profiles of behavior change constructs for reducing alcohol use in women at risk of an alcohol-exposed pregnancy.
Using data from Project CHOICES, a randomized controlled trial to test an intervention to prevent alcohol-exposed pregnancies, this study examined process of change profiles composed of Transtheoretical Model of Change (TTM) constructs for alcohol.
HESAV - Parents’ experience of risk and health recommendations for alcohol consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding
In Switzerland, it is estimated that 4 out of 10 women continue drinking (some) alcohol during pregnancy (1) and in a recent Swiss Health Survey around 10% of the pregnant participants declared to have consumed wine during the 7 days prior to the questioning.

IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Kehitysvammaliitto (Finland) - FASD-OSAAMISTA TARVITAAN KAIKKIIN TULEVIIN OT-KESKUKSIIN
Keskustelu sote-uudistuksesta pyörii pitkälti rakenteiden ympärillä, ja samalla unohtuu, että Suomessa on tälläkin hetkellä ihmisryhmiä, jotka eivät saa tarvitsemiaan palveluja. Yksi tällainen ryhmä ovat henkilöt, joilla on äitinsä raskaudenaikaisen alkoholinkäytön aiheuttamia vaurioita.
Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (Germany) - Selbsthilfegruppe zu FASD-Syndrom
Zum Syndrom der Fetalen Alkoholspektrumstörung (FASD), das werdende Babys bei übermäßigem Alkoholkonsum der Mutter entwickeln können, hat sich eine Selbsthilfegruppe gegründet.
OggiScienza (Italy) - Disturbo dello spettro fetale alcolico. Il perché sommerso di tante vite difficili
Il FASD può presentarsi nei bambini la cui madre ha bevuto alcol in gravidanza, ma la diagnosi è difficile e può arrivare anche dopo una vita di sofferenza. Ce lo racconta Claudio, che per far conoscere e affrontare il problema ha fondato l'associazione AIDEFAD.
Fædrelandsvennen (Norway) - Ingen uskyldig dråp
Når kvinner slutter med prevensjon, må de også slutte å drikke, er budskapet fra de ansatte på Kompetansetjeneste for Medfødte Russkader på sykehuset i Arendal. - Basert på den kunnskapen som vi har til nå, er det ingen ulovlige rusmidler som er så skadelig for fosteret som alkohol, sier barnelege Jon Skranes.
Roberta Sanseverino (Italy) - FASD, TU LA CONOSCI
All'interno di una campagna di sensibilizzazione sui rischi connessi al consumo di alcol in gravidanza è stato prodotto dalla Sitac (Società Italiana per il Trattamento dell'Alcolismo e le sue Complicanze), con il finanziamento della Regione Lazio, questo docufilm, al fine di spiegare agli operatori dei servizi di ginecologia e ostetricia in particolare, ai Sert, ai Servizi Alcologici e alle donne in età fertile in generale le possibili conseguenze dell'assunzione di sostanze alcoliche in gravidanza, anche in piccole quantità.
Promuje Łódzkie (Poland) - FASD okiem terapeuty. Zapal czerwoną lampkę - kampania STOP FASD
Edukacja dotycząca zgubnych skutków spożywania alkoholu w ciąży, dotyka wielu płaszczyzn. Oprócz rodziców i dzieci, walczących na co dzień o normalne życie, wielką rolę odgrywają również terapeuci.