FASD News - 21/2020

Globalnews.ca (Canada) - Pilot project aims to diagnose, support offenders with FASD
A team at Saskatoon’s Regional Psychiatric Centre is helping offenders with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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Globalnews.ca (Canada) - FASD project seeks to diagnose Saskatchewan offenders, support better outcomes
A clinical team at Saskatoon’s Regional Psychiatric Centre is working to diagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in incarcerated people.
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Goulburn Post (Australia) - Number of fetal alcohol conditions unknown
Health experts do not know how widespread fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are in Australia because of a lack of data.
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RACGP (Australia) - Consistency of alcohol education during pregnancy ‘absolutely crucial’
Reports of women not receiving adequate information about alcohol consumption have prompted experts to ensure transparency across the cycle of care.
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Newswise - Blood Spot Screening Shows Promise for Identifying Newborns Affected by Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
A simple screening test could help identify infants at risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), according to a report in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
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Stuff.co.nz (New Zealand) - More lives at risk in mental health units, say grieving parents
A brain-damaged man suspected to have killed himself while in a secure mental health unit should not have been there, and was being treated in a way that did not help his condition, a report into his death says.
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The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Doctors 'hesitant' to warn pregnant women against drinking alcohol
Some doctors are failing to warn women about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy despite national guidelines stating there is no safe level.
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HuffPost Canada (Canada) - How To Get Help When A Child Or Teen Is Violent Towards A Parent
Almost five years ago, Louise Sinclair* adopted her daughter. The child had been apprehended shortly after her birth and spent the first 18 months of her life in foster care.
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Global Health News Wire - signs of fetal alcohol syndrome detected in womb
New images reveal the earliest impairments to nonhuman primate fetal brain development due to alcohol ingested by the mother, in a study led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University involving rhesus macaques.
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CafeMom - Husband Says His Pregnant Wife Refuses To Stop Drinking & He Doesn't Know What To Do
Pretty much as soon as expectant parents learn that a baby is on the way, they'll memorize a laundry list of do's and absolute don'ts. Among the latter is the oft-discussed guidance on alcohol use during pregnancy.
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Our Sacred Breath - FASD: LESSONS IN PROCESSING SPEED FROM THE TURTLE, SLOTH AND SNAIL
I recently saw the graphic below, of a sloth riding on a turtle’s back, saying “too fast”. I was going to share it on my Facebook page, with a short comment about how we may need to slow down in order to accommodate an individual with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
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University of Calgary - Artwork project helps parents of kids with mental health issues answer the question, ‘Am I enough?’
As all parents know, raising children and adolescents can be challenging. However, for parents of children with mental health issues, being a parent brings a whole different set of challenges, which can often leave parents asking, “Am I enough?”
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CanFASD - Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Canada Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Research Network and the Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health are committed to supporting Canadians, our stakeholders, and public health efforts by providing reliable information to support sound decision making related to alcohol use in the context of the current COVID19 pandemic.
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NOFASD Australia - SEX, ALCOHOL AND LOCKDOWN
When we were initially told that we would only be allowed to shop for “essentials” the nation took a sharp intake of breath. Food and drink are essential for life but would snacks, fizzy drinks and alcohol be allowed?
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
The impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) on a person is lifelong and targeted prevention is required. The effects of FASD vary and may not be seen at birth. Some characteristics may become apparent in childhood, others later in life.
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Indiana NOFAS - From the Heart of this Mama: Is COVID-19 the real crisis?
"We are all in this together - we're all in the same boat." Susan shares her struggle with this in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Debbie Michaud - "Picture" This: Life as a Parent of Children with FASD Oji Cree Translation
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PAHO - Assessment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
This publication was initially developed for use in Spanish-speaking countries of the Americas and is intended to serve as a training workbook for providers of various disciplines to learn about the fundamentals of diagnosing FASD and to apply them to several case scenarios.
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What Works for Children´s Social Care - CHILDREN WITH FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS
Interventions for children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), to improve academic skills and learning strategies.
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NCFASD Informed - The Treasure of Josh’s Hope - An Interview with Steve Bailey of Josh’s Hope Foundation
Welcome to the second episode of "FASD Informed" a podcast series sponsored and produced by NCFASD Informed.
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RESEARCH
Foundations of Science - Understanding the Social Stigma of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: From Theory to Interventions
FASD is a spectrum of structural, functional, and neurodevelopmental problems with often lifelong implications, affecting communities worldwide. It is a leading preventable form of intellectual disabilities and therefore warrants effective prevention approaches.
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bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com - Construct and factorial validity of Neurobehavioral Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE)
This study provides an evidence-based approach to assessing ND-PAE symptoms and is a starting point to elucidating its neurobehavioral pattern.
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Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry - A review of studies exploring fetal alcohol spectrum disorders through eye tracking measures
After identifying the main limitations presented by the reviewed studies, we propose guidelines for future research, underlining the need to increase the standardization of diagnosis and evaluation tools, and to improve the methodological quality of eye tracking measures.
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Frontiers in Psychology - Dog-Assisted Therapy for Children and Adolescents With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders a Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
The rationale of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dog-assisted therapy (DAT) combined with pharmacological treatment in children and adolescents with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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Research in Developmental Disabilities - Motor performance and sensory processing behaviors among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders compared to children with developmental coordination disorders
The sensory processing symptoms in children with FASD distinguished the two groups. These group differences between children with FASD and DCD need corroboration in larger samples but haveimplications for differential diagnosis, clinical assessment, and targeted intervention.
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stars.library.ucf.edu - Investigating the Effect of Ethanol on Wnt7a and its Potential Implications in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
After evaluation of RNA-Seq data and a comparative analysis using the 2-ΔΔCTmethod, it is evident Wnt7a is present in embryonic mouse age E10.5 heart and brain samples, and Wnt7a is suppressed at age E10.5 in embryonic mouse heart, but not brain, when induced with ethanol.
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PLoS ONE - Are personality traits associated with smoking and alcohol use prior to and during pregnancy?
Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the developing fetus, including fetal alcohol syndrome and low birth weight.
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Neurotoxicology and Teratology - High prevalence of prenatal alcohol exposure detected by breathalyzer in the Republic of the Congo, Africa
The results of this study utilizing a unique exposure detection methodology suggest that the use of BrAC may be a useful objective option to detect and quantify alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
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Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics - A Case for Early Screening: Prenatal Alcohol Risk Exposure Predicts Risk for Early Childhood Communication Delays
The results of this study suggest that screening for PAR in expectant mothers may identify a group of young children at increased risk for communication delays. This research carries clinical implications and provides support for PAR screening in informing early childhood developmental screening efforts.
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Health and Education Interdependence - The Role of Epigenetics in Shaping the Foundations of Children’s Learning
Since the mapping of the human genome there has been an exponential growth of research investigating the way in which environmental factors influence the expression of genes and how this shapes the course of human development.
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Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders - Teacher-Reported Prevalence of FASD in Kindergarten in Canada: Association with Child Development and Problems at Home
The prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may be underestimated as it can be difficult to diagnose in early childhood possibly reflecting unique developmental trajectories relative to other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NDDs).
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Clinical Epigenetics - Transgenerational inheritance of fetal alcohol exposure adverse effects on immune gene interferon-ϒ
Overall, these findings provide the evidence that fetal alcohol exposures produce an epigenetic mark on the Ifn-ɣ gene that passes through multiple generations via the male germ line. These data provide the first evidence that the male germ line transmits fetal alcohol exposure's adverse effects on the immune system.
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Research in Developmental Disabilities - Motor performance and sensory processing behaviors among children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders compared to children with developmental coordination disorders
The sensory processing symptoms in children with FASD distinguished the two groups. These group differences between children with FASD and DCD need corroboration in larger samples but haveimplications for differential diagnosis, clinical assessment, and targeted intervention.
Read more

Alcoholism - Difficulties in daily living experienced by adolescents, transition‐aged youth, and adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Adolescents, transition‐aged youth, and adults with FASD experienced a range of substantial and complex difficulties at the time of their diagnostic assessment, signaling a high level of service needs.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Wprost.pl (Poland) - Mamo! To jedyne zaburzenia rozwojowe u dziecka, którym w 100 proc. można zapobiec
Kiedy alkohol działa na embrion, a potem płód, może spowodować u dziecka cały zestaw zaburzeń i nie są to odosobnione przypadki. Nie ma znaczenia, jaki alkohol pije przyszła matka – czy jest to piwo, wino czy mocniejsze trunki. Nie ma znaczenia, na którym etapie ciąży.
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Ketju (Finland) - FASD on arka asia
Alkoholin vaurioittamien lasten diagnoosin saaminen on usein vaikeaa ja se hidastaa myös oikeanlaisen tuen saamista. Kymsotessa FASDin vastaista työtä on tehty jo pitkään, mutta monitahoiseen ongelmaan ei löydy vain yhtä ratkaisua. Avainasemassa on ennaltaehkäisy ja tiedotus.
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IOGT-NTO (Sweden) - MINSKA FOSTERSKADORNA AV ALKOHOL GENOM ATT ÖPPNA ETT NATIONELLT KOMPETENSCENTER!
Av alla livsstilsval vi gör i samband med en graviditet finns det inget som har större betydelse för barnets framtida hälsa och utveckling än valen vi gör kring alkohol. Detta gäller både den som föder barnet och dennes eventuella partner.
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Alcohol News - 21/2020

InDaily (Australia) - Domestic violence concern over virus-prompted alcohol spike
Up to 20 per cent of South Australians have increased their average weekly alcohol intake in response to COVID-19, the state’s peak drug and alcohol group says, prompting concerns of a rise in family violence.
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TheChronicleHerald.ca (Canada) - N.S. government falling short in addressing alcohol abuse during pandemic: expert
While alcohol revenues skyrocket across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nova Scotia is doing little to counter the devastating effects of alcohol abuse in the province, says an addictions expert. 
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NBC New York (USA) - Alcohol, Drug Use Contributing to NYC Child Abuse, but Reports Remain Dangerously Low
Between March 23 and May 17, there were 5,375 tips to the State Central Register, New York’s child abuse hotline — during the same time period in 2019, there were 10,989 tips, according to ACS.
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Medical Xpress - Reducing neighborhood crime: Place management of alcohol outlets
Recent research from the Prevention Research Center of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation and the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health suggests that neighborhood crime may be reduced by enhancing "place management" resources in and around off-premise alcohol sales outlets, particularly at small and independent stores.
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Phys.Org (Scotland) - New report reveals impact of minimum unit pricing for alcohol on small retailers
The Scottish Government's minimum unit pricing policy has been implemented as intended by small retailers in Scotland, according to new research carried out by the University of Stirling.
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Forbes (USA) - Pandemic’s Boozy Legacy: To-Go Alcohol Could Stick Around In New York, Texas
Many areas across the country have allowed restaurants and bars to sell alcohol either to go or for delivery while dine-in business has shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, though some are looking to make the change permanent, even as dining rooms begin to reopen.
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Balance (UK) - New study shows poor are more at risk of alcohol-related violence
Balance and Police and Crime Commissioners have expressed concern at a major new report showing people in the poorest areas are more at risk of alcohol-related violence.
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IAS (UK) - Minimum Unit Pricing in Scotland: What we know so far about its effects on consumption and health harms
Media reports have been mixed, with some claiming the policy has been a success and others claiming it has been a failure. This briefing attempts to summarise this evidence to draw conclusions about the impact of MUP based on what we know so far.
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AICR - Experiencing Stress? Don’t Turn to Alcohol
Do you find yourself reaching for a beer or glass of wine when you’re feeling stressed? Turning to alcohol to relieve stress is not uncommon, but it is not a long-term and healthy solution to coping with the negative effects of stress.
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News Medical - Why Wine is Damaging Our Body More Than We Thought
A leisurely glass of red wine with a good meal never hurt anyone – or did it? Many ‘experts’ point out that wine is not always harmful, and in fact, a little of it every day can help your stomach and ward off many illnesses, as the Good Book says.
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MDPI - Special Issue "Alcohol Policy and Public Health"
The Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol was released by the WHO in 2010 with the expectation that it would encourage member states to more systematically institute evidence-based strategies to address alcohol problems. This strategy has had mixed success, with some now calling for stronger collective action at an international level, including implementation of a Framework Convention on Alcohol Control (FCAC).
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Anchor.fm - In This Together: You, Alcohol and COVID-19
On the podcast this week - special guest Julia Stafford from Alcohol Policy WA talks to us about the predatory marketing tactics used by the #alcohol industry during #COVID19 and what we can do to keep industry accountable.
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VicHealth (Australia) - Cowboy alcohol delivery services choose profits over safety
VicHealth is calling out the dangerous practices of on-demand alcohol delivery giants like UberEats and BWS Online after new research reveals these services fail to meet the basic safety standards of alcohol service.
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Alcohol News - 20/2020

EurekAlert - Tackling alcohol harms must be an integral part of the nation's recovery from COVID-19
As the UK and most other countries went into lockdown, the need to save lives from the coronavirus rightly took priority over longer term health issues.
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The Local (Denmark) - Danish 15-year-olds drink most alcohol in Europe
Danish 15-year-olds drink more frequently and are more likely to have been drunk than those from any other country in Europe, according to a new study by the World Health Organisation.
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The Guardian (UK) - Alcohol-fuelled crime offenders may have to wear ‘sobriety tags’
Offenders who commit “alcohol-fuelled” crimes can be required to wear “sobriety tags” and banned from drinking under legislation that comes into force in England and Wales on Tuesday.
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Euro Weekly News (UK/Spain) - Effects of British Expats Drinking More Alcohol in Spain’s Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca During Strict Lockdown
THE effects of British expats drinking more alcohol in Spain’s Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca during the country’s strict lockdown might be felt over the next few years.
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The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) - Doctors 'hesitant' to warn pregnant women against drinking alcohol
Some doctors are failing to warn women about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy despite national guidelines stating there is no safe level.
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BBC News (USA) - Coronavirus: How the pandemic is relaxing US drinking laws
Coronavirus has Americans picking up two new summer accessories: a mask and an alcoholic to-go drink.
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Cornell Chronicle - Exposure to TV alcohol ads linked to drinking behavior
The Most Interesting Man in the World preferred Dos Equis, James Bond promoted Heineken and a rescue dog fetched Bud Light for partygoers. Aired in 2012, those were just a few of the nearly 600 televised commercials for alcohol products – mostly beer – that the average American adult was exposed to that year, according to new Cornell research.
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RACGP - Consistency of alcohol education during pregnancy ‘absolutely crucial’
Reports of women not receiving adequate information about alcohol consumption have prompted experts to ensure transparency across the cycle of care.
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Bloomberg (Singapore) - Singapore Expats Flouting Virus Rules Spark Alcohol Curbs
Singapore authorities ordered several restaurants in a neighborhood popular with expatriates to immediately stop selling takeaway alcohol, after several foreigners didn’t adhere to social distancing measures outside of the premises.
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SciTechDaily - Drunkorexia Is Damaging and Dangerous, Yet Very Common With Female College Students
Mojito, appletini, or a simple glass of fizz – they may take the edge off a busy day, but if you find yourself bingeing on more than a few, you could be putting your physical and mental health at risk according new research at the University of South Australia.
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Psych Congress Network - Increased Alcohol Consumption Among Behavior Changes Linked to COVID-19-Related Stressors
Several financial stressors created by the COVID-19 pandemic have been linked to higher odds of experiencing negative health behavior changes, including increased alcohol consumption, according to Flatten the Curve, a national survey developed by digital health company Sharecare and Sandro Galea, MD, MPH, DrPH, dean of the Boston University School of Public Health, and Publicis Health Media.
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Gentside UK (UK) - One in Five Adults Is Affected by Passive Alcoholism – Here’s How to Tell if You’re One of Them
According to a study published in the scientific Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, one in five adults (about 53 million people) in the United States are affected by passive alcoholism, making it a ‘public health concern’ according to researchers.
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IAS (UK) - Most disadvantaged disproportionately at risk of alcohol-related violence
New findings show that alcohol-related violence affects the poorest in society to the greatest degree, with the most deprived groups experiencing as much as 14 times as many incidents of alcohol-related domestic violence every year, compared with the least deprived.
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STAP (Netherlands) - A minimum price for alcohol leads to fewer alcohol problems
Secretary of State Paul Blokhuis sent yesterday to the House of Representatives an investigation into MUP (minimum price for one unit alcohol). Dutch government is considering the introduction of this measure and would therefore like to know the results of relevant studies and the experiences in other countries.
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BMC - Developments in global tobacco and alcohol policy
Alcohol and tobacco are among the most widely consumed psychoactive drugs. The substances are consumed for many reasons, which may include their effects on the brain and body, as well as for social and cultural reasons.
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FASD News - 19/2020

CBC.ca (Canada) - 'I can be myself': Youth FASD support program expands in Yellowknife
Anderson is among a growing group of young people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) who are gaining independence through the 4Y program by helping them transition into adulthood.
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Mirage News (Canada) - New research demonstrates effectiveness of alcohol warning labels
“This new Canadian research is significant because it provides further evidence that effective alcohol warning labels, such as the label proposed by Australia’s own food labelling and safety regulator, can result in fewer children being born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD),” Ms Giorgi said.
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Mental Daily - Study Shows Alcohol-Related Impairments To Brain Growth In Early Fetal Development
Using magnetic resonance imaging, a group of researchers at Oregon Health & Science University examined the fetal brain development of rhesus macaques and found impairments as early as the third trimester caused by exposure to alcohol.
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CBC.ca (Canada) - Why Community Matters More Than Ever For Parents Of Kids With Special Needs
I cried a few times that first week after coronavirus hit in earnest, when trips were cancelled, schools were closed and in-person supports slid away.
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Science Daily - Signs of fetal alcohol syndrome detected in womb
New images reveal the earliest impairments to nonhuman primate fetal brain development due to alcohol ingested by the mother, in a study involving rhesus macaques. Magnetic resonance imaging showed impairments to brain growth during the third trimester of pregnancy, even though the fetus was exposed to alcohol only during the first trimester.
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The Daily Cougar - Simultaneous alcohol, cannabinoid leads to brain defects in fetuses, UH professor finds
Simultaneous alcohol and cannabinoid use, or the co-ingestion of alcohol and marijuana, can lead to neurovascular deficits in fetuses, a UH biomedical engineering professor found.
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Girls, Women, Alcohol, and Pregnancy - Putting evidence in women’s hands – alcohol and cannabis use when breastfeeding
Two updated resources are available about alcohol and breastfeeding: a research update from CanFASD Alcohol and Breastfeeding and a brochure from Best Start  Mixing Alcohol and Breastfeeding.  They both illustrate how little research there is available, and how public health messaging directed to new mothers has changed over time.
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COMING UP
EUFASD - EUFASD 2020 POSTPONED
Due to the uncertainties around the Covid-19 pandemic, the Board feels that the wisest decision is to postpone the conference until 12 to 15 September of 2021. We are very sorry not to meet you in a few months, but hope to see in 2021! You will be able to get a refund of your registration fee if you have already paid, or alternatively, you can simply keep the registration which will apply next year.
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CanFASD - Towards healthy outcomes for individuals with FASD: Advancing a common intervention framework (Jun 5, 2020)
In this presentation Dr. Jacqueline Pei will discuss an evidence informed model of intervention for individuals with FASD: Towards Healthy Outcomes. Achieving healthy outcomes for individuals with FASD requires working together towards meaningful goals for each individual.
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SHAAP - ‘Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / FASD: everybody’s business' (19TH MAY AT 2 - 4 PM)
Dr Jennifer Shields, Principal Clinical Pyschologist (FAAST) & Dr Sarah Brown, Consultant Paediatrician.
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FASD Hub Scotland - ‘What is #FASD? - an introduction to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder’
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Violence Intervention Program - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Part 2 – June 22, 23, and 25.
Three 4-hour training series – 12 total hours (11 hours CEUs) – Course meets the qualifications for 11 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. CE provider # 139288.
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CTRI - LIVE VIRTUAL Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (Jul 07 - Jul 08, 2020)
This is a live virtual event using Zoom, an online meeting platform. Please check system requirements prior to registering.
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Surrey PLace - FASD Strategies for Caregivers (Jun 25 2020)
This 2-hour workshop provides caregivers and professionals with strategies to teach and support children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. We’ll talk about the causes of challenging behaviours, become active in identifying our children’s strengths, and uncover where and how to add support.
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Central Alberta FASD Network - FASD 101: The Basics and What you need to know (26 May 2020)
The network's introductory FASD workshop will be offered online via Zoom by Our Community Prevention Staff: Tammy Predovic and Chris Chabot.
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Palo Alto University - ASD and FASD: Similarities, Differences, and Clinical and Forensic Implications with Dr. Jerrod Brown (August 26, 2020)
This webinar on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Similarities, Differences, and Clinical and Forensic Implications is presented by Dr. Jerrod Brown.
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BC Council of Families - Understanding Fetal Alcohol and Other Neurobehavioral Conditions: A Brain-Based Approach (June 03, 2020)
Fetal Alcohol / Neurobehavioural conditions (FA/NB) encompass the spectrum of brain-based conditions with a wide range of symptoms. This workshop establishes a research-informed foundation linking brain function with behaviours and introduces an emerging best practices approach to developing effective person-specific strategies in all settings.
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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
CanFASD - ”It’s Ignorant Stereotypes”: Stakeholder Recommendations to Improve Canadian Discussions About FASD
Dr. Sterling Clarren FASD Research Award winner John Aspler presents ”It’s Ignorant Stereotypes”: Stakeholder Recommendations to Improve Canadian Discussions About FASD.
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Global Health Conference Midwest 2017 - Nora Boesem: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders: Whiteclay's Generational Epidemic for Pine Ridge
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Larissa Marie Downey - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) TVC
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Jill Crewes - FASD Webinar April 24 2020
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PreventFASD.info - Alcohol-exposed pregnancies risk Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Everyone knows we don’t feed alcohol to babies. But did you ever think where the alcohol goes when a pregnant woman has a drink? Is it worth the risk? In a world where we too often can’t control things, FASD is something we can do something about. We can create brighter futures.
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Whizbuzz Books - The Cycles of Nicholas : Inspired
A Memoir of Raising a Child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder. The Cycles of Nicholas is about finding peace as illustrated by the never-ending challenges of raising my disabled/ addicted son.
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CDC - FASDs: My Story
Real Stories from People living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
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The FASD Success Show - Episode 20 - Brian Philcox The Ignorant FASD Philosopher
What an absolute honour to present to you on today’s podcast – Mr. Brian Philcox – affectionately known as “Grandpa Brian.”
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RESEARCH
Rhodes University - Discursive constructions of alcohol use and pregnancy among participants in intervention aimed at reducing Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
South Africa’s socio-cultural and political history has had significant effects on maternal and reproductive health. The hazardous alcohol use patterns in the country have affected alcohol consumption during pregnancy.
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Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica - Folic acid supplement rescues ethanol-induced developmental defects in the zebrafish embryos
This research provides clues for elucidating the mechanism of fetal abnormalities caused by alcohol intake and for preventing FASD.
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Revista Brasileira de Saúde Materno Infantil - "Because of the baby": reduction on drug use during pregnancy
the spontaneous reduction in the consumption of PAS and after the interventions, pregnancy is a window of opportunity to reduce the use of drugs.
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BMJ - Alcohol, smoking, and other substance use in the perinatal period
Many women use substances during pregnancy. For example, the global prevalence of alcohol consumption during pregnancy is 9.8%.1 Moreover, 10.4% of pregnant women in England were known to be smoking tobacco at the time of delivery.
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PloS one - Caffeine, alcohol, khat, and tobacco use during pregnancy in Butajira, South Central Ethiopia
The study showed a considerable magnitude of substance use among pregnant women in the study area. Given this findings, we recommend, programs and services focusing on pregnant women to consider addressing substance use.
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ideaexchange.uakron.edu - Non-pharmacological Interventions for Alcohol, Marijuana, and Opioid Use During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review
The purpose of this review is to analyze evidence on prevalence of opioid, alcohol and marijuana use during pregnancy and answer the PICOT question: In pregnant women addicted to or using marijuana, opioids, and alcohol, how do non-pharmacological interventions, compared to standard care of pharmacological interventions alone, affect health outcomes in mothers and neonates between birth to hospital discharge?
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PloS one - Influences on drinking choices among Indigenous and non-Indigenous pregnant women in Australia: A qualitative study
Despite women’s awareness that drinking alcohol in pregnancy can lead to lifelong disabilities in a child, it appears that an awareness alone does not discourage some pregnant women from drinking.
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JAMA Netw Open - Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Tobacco and Neonatal Brain Activity
The findings suggest that any level of PAE or PTE is associated with newborn brain development, reaffirming the public health message that research has not yet determined a safe level of alcohol or tobacco use during pregnancy.
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Food and Chemical Toxicology - Prenatal ethanol exposure-induced hypothalamic an imbalance of glutamatergic/GABAergic projections and low functional expression in male offspring rats
Our study indicated that low functional expression of the hypothalamus in male PEE offspring rats was associated with developmental programming of an imbalance of glutamatergic/GABAergic projections to the PVN.
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NEUROSCIENCE HONORS PAPERS - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Alters the Number, Not Distribution, of Corridor Cells at Embryonic Day 13.5
Sensory processing deficits, including under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli and disordered auditory processing, are common across FASDs.
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ACM DL - Toward the Design of Enjoyable Games for Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Based on our observations, we advise that games for FASD be designed to have low cost of failure, avoid retracting options, account for taking breaks when needed, show progression in rewards, and enable cooperative play.
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Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders - Hippocampal transcriptome analysis following maternal separation implicates altered RNA processing in a mouse model of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Together, transcriptional control in the hippocampus is implicated as a potential underlying mechanism leading to anxiety-like behavior via environmental insults. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanism involved and use this insight towards early diagnosis and amelioration strategies involving children born with FASD.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Accent (Sweden) - Samarbete för nationellt kompetenscentrum
”Vi har halkat efter våra grannländer”, säger Irma Kilim, drogpolitisk chef, IOGT-NTO, som ingår i en arbetsgrupp som vill se ett svenskt kompetenscentrum för alkohol kopplat till fosterskador.
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Reporter Cyprus (Cyprus) - Στοιχεία για τις εγκύους που καταναλώνουν αλκοόλ στην Κύπρο έδωσε ο υπ. Υγείας
Στοιχεία για τις εγκύους που καταναλώνουν αλκοόλ στην Κύπρο, έδωσε ο υπουργός Υγείας, με αφορμή ερώτηση για το Σύνδρομο Εμβρυϊκού Αλκοολισμού.
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Alcohol News - 19/2020

EURACTIV (Finland) - Alcohol consumption in Finland skyrockets amid pandemic
Statistics reveal that alcohol sales in Finland increased by 23% in April compared to the year before. Finnish national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, Alko, saw its sales of Rosé wine increase by 40% that month, while red and white wins saw a 35% and 28% increase respectively.
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Voice of America (USA) - Alcohol Flying Off Shelves at 'Essential' US Liquor Stores
Business is booming for alcohol in the United States during the coronavirus pandemic as Americans on lockdown battle boredom and anxieties at home. 
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The Conversation AU (New Zealand) - Alcohol can make coronavirus worse – so why was it treated as essential in New Zealand’s lockdown?
New Zealand has won international praise for its strict lockdown conditions and public health response to COVID-19, but there’s one glaring blindspot.
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ABC News (Australia) - Alcohol ads appearing every 35 seconds during pandemic
Experts are concerned about a "deluge" of alcohol advertising during lockdown encouraging unhealthy drinking. In just one hour on a Friday night, 107 sponsored alcohol advertisements were displayed on a user’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, around one every 35 seconds.
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The Moscow Times (Russia) - Russia Mulls Raising Legal Drinking Age After Deaths Spike
Russia's health minister on Wednesday said it was necessary to raise the legal age to buy alcohol to 21 after an increase in drink-related deaths during the coronavirus epidemic.
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News-Medical.net - MRI reveals signs of fetal alcohol syndrome in the womb
New images reveal the earliest impairments to nonhuman primate fetal brain development due to alcohol ingested by the mother, in a study led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University involving rhesus macaques.
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CBC.ca (Canada) - Nunavut hamlet bans alcohol to encourage physical distancing
The hamlet of Grise Fiord, Nunavut, has temporarily banned alcohol because of COVID-19. The ban runs from May 5 to May 18, and again from May 21 until June 3.
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WVLT.TV (USA) - Pandemic may lead to 75,000 deaths from suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, study says
COVID-19 has directly claimed tens of thousands of U.S. lives, but conditions stemming from the novel coronavirus — rampant unemployment, isolation and an uncertain future — could lead to 75,000 deaths from drug or alcohol abuse and suicide, new research suggests.
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WalesOnline (Wales) - ‘I was drinking a litre of whiskey every single day' - life as a recovering addict in lockdown
Tim Morgan's bedroom at his parents' house in Caerphilly is almost boredom-proof. On the floor next to his bed lies a rolled up yoga mat and a pair of dumbbells.
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Gov.ie (Ireland) - Minister for Health highlights advice and supports for people with alcohol related problems during COVID-19
Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, and Minister of State for Health Promotion and the National Drugs Strategy, Catherine Byrne, today highlighted advice and supports for people with alcohol related problems during COVID-19.
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Medical Xpress - Gene mutation combined with drinking habits appears to increase risk of gastric cancer in East Asian people
A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in Japan has found an increased risk of gastric cancer in East Asian people who have a certain gene mutation and who also have certain drinking habits.
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Live95 (Ireland) - Fresh Calls For Cancer Warnings On Booze
Alcohol Action Ireland says the public needs to know the risk. It's put a submission to the EU's "Beating Cancer Plan" consultation.
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France 24 (France) - Paris police bans alcohol along Seine river as crowds revel in new-found freedom
Police in the French capital declared a ban on alcoholic drinks on the banks of the Seine and the popular Canal Saint-Martin after crowds gathered there on Monday evening to enjoy their newly recovered freedom following eight weeks of lockdown. The Paris mayor has called for face masks to be made obligatory throughout the city.
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Focus (USA) – COVID-19 and Relaxed Alcohol Laws
This chart details which states have listed alcohol-related businesses as essential/non-essential, alcohol-specific orders, laws and related changes and other COVID-19-related policy information impacting the beer, wine and alcohol industry.
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The Sidney Morning Herald (Australia) - 'Smoke and mirrors': Food minister defends delay on alcohol pregnancy warnings
The Morrison government's food minister Richard Colbeck has defended a delay in rolling out new pregnancy warning labels on alcohol bottles, saying he remains committed to making them mandatory - but echoed industry concerns about cost.
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Alcohol News - 18/2020

The Conversation UK - Coronavirus: why managed alcohol programmes are essential for problem drinkers who are homeless
People who are homeless are being particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Common health problems such as respiratory disease put people who are homeless at more risk and self-isolation is impossible if you are living on the streets or in temporary accommodation.
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Inverse - AN “ALCOHOL MEMORY TRACE” IN THE BRAIN TRIGGERS RELAPSES AFTER YEARS OF SOBRIETY
For many people with alcohol use disorder, certain cues — like seeing a glass of wine in a movie, or a happy hour through a bar window — can trigger powerful drinking-related memories long after becoming sober. These cues can set off intense cravings for alcohol and cause relapse even after years of abstinence.
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UPI.com - Variety of beverage options leads people to drink less alcohol
A British study finds that people are more likely to choose alcohol-free options if they outnumber boozy choices.
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UVic News (Canada) - Alcohol warning labels reduce sales, change minds
Colourful, highly visible warning labels applied to bottles and cans of alcohol in Yukon’s largest liquor store prompted many people in Canada’s highest-alcohol-consuming region to cut back on their drinking.
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Science Daily - Genetic study ties higher alcohol consumption to increased stroke and PAD risk
Using genetic analysis, researchers found higher alcohol consumption increased risks for stroke and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Studies using genetic analysis don't rely on observational data, which often use self-reported data and could be subject to unreported risk factors.
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The Guardian (UK) - Problem drinking soars under UK lockdown, say addiction experts
Problem drinkers are consuming far more alcohol than usual because they are so stressed at being isolated and deprived of support under the lockdown, doctors have revealed.
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Newshub (New Zealand) - New Zealand's relationship with alcohol
The study highlights all of New Zealand's alcohol problems, a timely reminder as people are picking up the worrying trend of boredom drinking in lockdown.
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The Globe and Mail (India) - Delhi imposes 70% 'corona tax' on alcohol to deter large crowds
Officials in India's capital have imposed a special tax of 70% on retail liquor purchases to deter large gatherings at stores as authorities ease a lockdown.
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TASS (Russia) - Russian health minister warns against alcohol abuse during pandemic
Alcohol use in Russia has risen by 2-3% in the period of self-isolation measures introduced to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko informed.
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Independent.ie (Ireland) - We shouldn't use alcohol to blot out reality
I drink. Probably more than is good for me. That's what I'm inclined to put down on medical questionnaires. Yet I don't know when I was last in a pub. Certainly it is probably more than a year ago.
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The Thaiger (Thailand) - Lifting of alcohol ban sees resurgence in road carnage
With the alcohol ban lifted the carnage has resumed on Thailand’s roads. The national alcohol ban was lifted in all 76 of Thailand’s provinces, plus Bangkok, last Sunday. The sale and transport of alcohol was banned as part of the national state of emergency in order to stop people drinking and socialising during the Covid-19 crisis.
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NTCOSS (Australia) - Alcohol-related harm in the Territory falls: Minimum Unit Price report
The Northern Territory has experienced significant reductions in alcohol-related violence and harm since October 2018, according to the Northern Territory Government’s report into the introduction of a minimum unit price (MUP or floor price) on alcohol.
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Alcohol Action Ireland - ALCOHOL ACTION IRELAND OPEN PAN EUROPEAN SURVEY TO CAPTURE DRINKING BEHAVIOUR DURING COVID-19
pan-European survey is to link alcohol intake to experiences regarding the current COVID19 pandemic. With the outbreak of COVID19 in Europe, political actions by national governments led to changes in daily and public life in many places, including possible changes in alcohol consumption.
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FASD News - 17/2020

Scottish Daily Record (Scotland) - NHS Lanarkshire is posting out condoms and contraceptive pills during Covid-19 pandemic
NHS Lanarkshire say that around 50 per cent of pregnancies are unplanned, and that drinking alcohol during pregnancy can lead to the baby being born with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
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Goondiwindi Argus (Australia) - Fears of baby harm amid drinking spike
Women are being urged to curb their drinking over fears it could lead to a spike in alcohol harm in babies conceived during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Daily Mail - Children of women who drink while pregnant are 17 per cent more likely to develop depression as teenagers, study claims
Mothers who drink alcohol while pregnant are putting their children at a greater risk of developing depression when they become teenagers, a new study revealed.
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Westport News (USA) - Special-needs children facing challenges amid virus outbreak
Chris Hagler functions at the kindergarten level, is non-verbal and wheelchair bound. He used to spend his days learning from a special education teacher, interacting with peers and working with speech, physical and occupational therapists.
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Buffalo News - Pandemic magnifies risks of maternal substance abuse
Immediate impacts of Covid-19 on our health and economy are obvious and insidious. Less visible are dangers to children when anxiety-ridden parents increasingly turn to alcohol and other substances for solace during the pandemic.
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Healio - The landscape of perinatal substance use: Prevalence, outcomes and interventions
Although substance use is less prevalent among pregnant women than nonpregnant women, use during pregnancy has significant adverse effects on maternal, as well as fetal, neonatal and childhood health outcomes, according to a presenter at the American Psychiatric Association Spring Highlights Meeting.
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Indiana NOFAS (USA) - If a woman is pregnant or could become pregnant, she should abstain from drinking alcohol
Alcohol consumed during pregnancy increases the risk of alcohol related birth defects, including growth deficiencies, facial abnormalities, central nervous system or brain impairment, behavioral disorders, and impaired intellectual development.
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University of Sidney (Australia) - Driving a national approach to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Professor Elizabeth Elliott is driving policy and national conversation around fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), working alongside Aboriginal communities to enact change.
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NOFAS UK (UK) - Announcing new projects and our upcoming name change
NOFAS-UK will be changing its name to the National Organisation for FASD. This reflects a national shift in thinking. FASD is finally being recognised by the Department of Health and NICE as a spectrum that has less to do with what a person’s face looks like and more to do with how alcohol exposure in the womb impacts how the brain and body develops.
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COMING UP
FASD HUB Scotland - What is FASD, online training (May 19, Scotland)
FASD Hub Scotland are hosting a series of 3 online sessions that make up their introductory 'What is FASD?' training.
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Parent to Parent - Webinar: Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) (May 6, 2020)
Please join Dianne O'Connor, Regional Coordinator for Parent to Parent of NYS as she presents the webinar Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Children prenatally exposed to alcohol become adults with FASD.

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VIDEOS and MATERIALS
TexasHHSC - Prenatal Alcohol and Substance Exposure
Prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco and other substances can cause birth defects and permanent intellectual or developmental disabilities. Although all of these substances are harmful to a developing fetus, alcohol has the strongest influence.
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Kehitysvammaliitto - Miten lääkäri kertoo FASDista?
Miten ottaa FASD puheeksi? -videoita voi käyttää tukena keskusteltaessa nuoren kanssa FASD-diagnoosista tai FASDin vaikutuksista.
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Proof Alliance - Welcome from Proof Alliance Executive Director, Sara Messelt

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Jill Crewes - FASD Webinar April 24 2020

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Wise Group - Mahi Rawe Webinar April 2020: FASDRead more

HealthINfoNet - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and complex trauma: a resource for educators
This resource provides guidance for educators who might be working with children and young people with Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD).
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BMA Report - Alcohol and pregnancy: preventing and managing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
In an update to our 2007 report, we outline the responsibilities of healthcare professionals and policy makers to improve the prevention, diagnosis and management of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
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RESEARCH
Nordic Welfare Center - Identifying use of alcohol and other substances during pregnancy
The Nordic Welfare Centre has a long history of working with questions of alcohol consumption and its different aspects and contexts. While alcohol is a socially accepted substance consumed in all parts of society, alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a risk behaviour and can cause severe damage to the foetus.
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digitalcommons.ursinus.edu - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Alters the Number, Not Distribution. of Corridor Cells at Embryonic Day 13.5
The distribution of cells was not altered by PAE. Altered corridor cell count could impair TCA migration and lead to observed sensory processing deficits in FASD. Future work will study Slit/Robo signaling pathways, which are involved in guidance of both TCAs and corridor cells.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Chronic Binge Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy Alters mTOR System in Rat Fetal Hippocampus
We conclude that chronic binge alcohol exposure during pregnancy alters mTORC1 signaling pathway in the fetal hippocampus. We conjecture that this dysregulation of mTOR protein expression, its activity, and downstream proteins may play a critical role in FASD neurobiological phenotypes.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - The Demographic and Neurocognitive Profile of Clients diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in PATCHES Paediatrics clinics across Western Australia and the Northern Territory
This study improves our current understanding of neurocognitive and demographic profiles in individuals with FASD that have been clinically referred for diagnosis within Western Australia and the Northern Territory; and highlights the importance of prevention and early assessment/diagnosis as well as guidance regarding more targeted interventions.
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nature.com - FASD: new insights from zebrafish
A study used zebrafish to model FASD and assess the metabolic consequences of embryonic alcohol exposure (EAE) in fish fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.
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ir.lib.uwo.ca - Motives of Caregivers for Children with FASD to Become Peer Mentors
The purpose of this study was to identify the motives of peer mentors to caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Ten mentors with lived experience raising a dependent with FASD participated in in person or telephone interviews that included the focal question: “Why do you want to be a peer mentor?”
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OpenUCT - Mothers’ facilitation of the occupational engagement of their children with FASD: a qualitative descriptive study in an under-resourced district in South Africa
The findings of this study highlight the important role mothers play to facilitate the occupational engagement of children with FASD. Recognising mothers as agents of change and including them in intervention will enhance occupational therapy practice in the area of FASD.
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FASEB - Effect of Maternal Age on Offspring Growth and Craniofacial Development After Early Prenatal Alcohol Exposure in a Mouse Model
As many women are delaying childbirth, there is an increasing need to carryout preclinical studies with appropriate experimental controls to better understand the relative risk of PAE and maternal age, and ultimately contribute to public health policy for pregnant women.
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Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience - Prenatal Alcohol Exposure as a Case of Involuntary Early Onset of Alcohol Use: Consequences and Proposed Mechanisms From Animal Studies
Understanding the mechanisms by which prenatal alcohol exposure favors the early initiation of alcohol consumption, along with its role in the causal pathway to alcohol disorders, may allow us to find strategies to mitigate the behavioral effects of this early experience with the drug.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Chronic Binge Alcohol Exposure During Pregnancy Alters mTOR System in Rat Fetal Hippocampus
We conclude that chronic binge alcohol exposure during pregnancy alters mTORC1 signaling pathway in the fetal hippocampus. We conjecture that this dysregulation of mTOR protein expression, its activity, and downstream proteins may play a critical role in FASD neurobiological phenotypes.
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Repository Pubblicazioni Università Cattolica - CDT reference values for monitoring chronic alcohol abuse in pregnancy
Conclusions In order to prevent the development of maternal and fetal prenatal alcohol exposure complications, the use of alcohol biomarkers, including CDT, has been proposed.
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Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research - Association of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Offspring Depression: A Negative Control Analysis of Maternal and Partner Consumption
Maternal drinking in pregnancy was associated with increased risk of offspring depression at age 18. Residual confounding may explain this association, but the negative control comparison of paternal drinking provides some evidence that it may be causal, and this warrants further investigation.
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Brain Imaging and Behavior - Structural and functional brain network alterations in prenatal alcohol exposed neonates
The findings suggest early functional disruption on a global and regional level after prenatal alcohol exposure and indicate suboptimal organization of functional networks. These differences likely underlie sensory dysregulation and behavioral difficulties in prenatal alcohol exposure.
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FASEB - Teratogenic effects of 1.5% EtOH in Cranial Blood Vessel development and Neurogenesis in Zebrafish larvae at 72hpf
Our preliminary results suggest that EtOH at 1.5% leads to reduced number of cranial vessels and altered vessel branching, and decreased density of telencephalic and hindbrain neurons.
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IN OTHER LANGUAGES
Kehitysvammaliitto (Finland) - MITEN OTTAA FASD PUHEEKSI?
Kehitysvammaliiton FASD-toiminta on julkaissut puheeksi ottamisen vihkon ja videon. Materiaaleja voi käyttää tukena keskusteltaessa nuoren kanssa FASD-diagnoosista tai FASDin vaikutuksista. Tukimateriaalit soveltuvat hyvin esimerkiksi lääkärien tai vanhempien käyttöön.
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