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MARYLAND FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER COALITION (FASD)

Images of children
BACKGROUND

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) was first recognized in 1973 as a collection of birth defects that included distinct dimorphic facial features, mental retardation and other developmental disorders.  Initially FAS was thought to occur only among births to alcoholic or alcoholic-abusing women, but subsequent research findings showed that less obvious but equally disabling developmental disorders also resulted from prenatal alcohol exposure, known collectively as Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopment Disorders (ARND).  Another more inclusive term—“Fetal Alcohol Effects” (FAE)—came into wide use.  Today, both FAS and FAE have been subsumed under the broader and more accurate term, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

To read more on FAS/FASD, click here. 

 
MARYLAND'S ROLE

House Bill 1274 entitled “Public Health-Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention-Public Awareness Campaign.” House Bill 1274 would establish a statewide multimedia campaign to educate the public regarding Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other effects of prenatal exposure. Additional information on MD FASD can be found on the Report on State Approaches to FASD and Maryland Department of Health FASD Progress Report.

Click here for background on Maryland legislation. 

US ROLE IN FASD

In February 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General issued the first advisory on alcohol use in pregnancy since 1981. 

RESOURCES

Addiction Guide 
Alcohol and Pregnancy
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Academy of Pediatrics - Algorithm for Evaluation
American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists
American Society of Addiction Medicine
Behavioral Health Administration (formerly ADAA)
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Mid-Atlantic Technology Transfer Center
National Institute for Drug Abuse
National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome(NOFAS)
Physician Leadership on National Drug Policy

RESULTS OF NATIONAL SURVEY

                                                                                                        

September, 2020