Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 11, 2026

The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
19:57

The Use of Trace Eyeblink Classical Conditioning to Assess Hippocampal Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Published on: August 5, 2017

8.9K

1 in 100 babies: the fetal alcohol spectrum disorder pathway

Kerry Lyons1

  • 1Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|November 29, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Alcohol during pregnancy causes preventable birth defects and developmental disabilities. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) affect 1 in 100 babies, yet remain under-diagnosed.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

  • Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is a leading preventable cause of birth defects.
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a significant public health concern.
  • Existing data suggests FASDs are more prevalent than autism spectrum disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the prevalence and impact of alcohol-related birth defects.
  • To underscore the under-diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
  • To raise awareness about the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of World Health Organization data on alcohol-related birth defects.
  • Analysis of epidemiological data on FASD prevalence.
  • Comparison of FASD and autism spectrum disorder diagnostic rates.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal alcohol exposure is the primary preventable cause of developmental disabilities.
  • An estimated 1 in 100 babies are born with alcohol-related damage.
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are under-diagnosed despite their high prevalence.

Conclusions:

  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders represent a critical, yet often overlooked, public health issue.
  • Increased awareness and improved diagnostic practices are essential for addressing FASDs.
  • Preventing prenatal alcohol exposure is key to reducing birth defects and developmental disabilities.

More Related Videos

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats11:01

Moderate Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Quantification of Social Behavior in Adult Rats

Published on: December 14, 2014

10.3K
Quantification of Ethanol Levels in Zebrafish Embryos Using Head Space Gas Chromatography08:22

Quantification of Ethanol Levels in Zebrafish Embryos Using Head Space Gas Chromatography

Published on: February 11, 2020

6.2K

Related Concept Videos

Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
4.4K
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
1.5K
Intellectual Disability01:29

Intellectual Disability

Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
945
Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
2.3K
Autism Spectrum Disorder01:19

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
1.5K
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not...
6.8K