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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

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Drug Abuse and Addiction in Medical Illness

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Abstract

One of the most tragic outcomes of a woman’s addiction to or abuse of alcohol is the effects on the unborn child. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is common and preventable. Western estimates suggest that FASD affects 1% of the population, and in some communities, the frequency is much higher. FASD is caused by a mother’s use of alcohol with or without other substances of abuse that can result in permanent physical and neurodevelopmental impairments to her unborn child. In addition to the primary effects of FASD, affected children are at risk of developing secondary disabilities, including drug and alcohol addictions. It is uncertain what factors, genetic and/or environmental, lead to this addiction. The individual, social, and financial costs are enormous. Multidisciplinary teams have been developed to improve ascertainment of, and standardized approaches to, FASD diagnosis. Strategies and mentorship programs have been developed to better recognize and support women at risk for having FASD children. We discuss issues specific to the treatment and management of FASD adolescents and adults who are struggling with addiction to alcohol and other substances.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3N4, Canada

    Andrea R. Kilgour Ph.D, C.Psych

  2. Departments of Pediatrics and Child Health, Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, Canada

    Albert E. Chudley MD, FRCPC, FCCMG

  3. WRHA Program in Genetics and Metabolism, Health Sciences Centre, FE 229 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, Canada

    Albert E. Chudley MD, FRCPC, FCCMG

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  1. Andrea R. Kilgour Ph.D, C.Psych
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  2. Albert E. Chudley MD, FRCPC, FCCMG
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Correspondence to Albert E. Chudley MD, FRCPC, FCCMG .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Inst. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Psychopharmacology, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, Utrecht, 3584CG, Netherlands

    Joris C. Verster

  2. Dept. Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, President St. 67, Charleston, 29425, South Carolina, USA

    Kathleen Brady

  3. School of Medicine, Div. Alcoholism & Drug Abuse, New York University, First Ave. 550, New York, 10016, New York, USA

    Marc Galanter

  4. Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, National Addiction Centre, Windsor Walk 4, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom

    Patricia Conrod

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Kilgour, A.R., Chudley, A.E. (2012). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. In: Verster, J., Brady, K., Galanter, M., Conrod, P. (eds) Drug Abuse and Addiction in Medical Illness. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3375-0_36

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