Hospital utilization of Saskatchewan people with fetal alcohol syndrome

We describe the hospital utilization of 194 Saskatchewan persons with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (88% Aboriginal), born between 1973-92. Complete provincial hospitalization data were obtained for 128 patients; partial data for 29 patients. Proportionately more persons missing data were adopted, not living with biological family members or were deceased. The hospital separation rates for the children with FAS, pooled from 1987-91, compared to the 1989-90 Saskatchewan rates were significantly higher (95% level of confidence) for males and females < 1 year, 1-4 years and 5-14 years of age. Relative to Saskatchewan Registered Indians, significantly higher hospitalization rate ratios were observed for males with FAS in all age groups and for females only age 5-14 years. Rate ratios for younger females may not have achieved significance because of missing data. Higher hospitalization rates in children with FAS may not be explained solely by factors associated with ethnicity.