Globalization and Health – Do alcohol
industry-funded organisations act to correct misinformation? A qualitative
study of pregnancy and infant health content following independent analysis
Following independent public health analysis of their informational
outputs, misinformation about pregnancy and infant health remains present on
alcohol industry-funded websites. Warnings to the public to avoid alcohol
industry-funded information sources should form an essential part of the global
effort to tackle health misinformation.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12992-025-01125-4
Contemporary OB/GYN (USA) – 5% of people in
the US have FASD and doctors must change how they diagnose it
Rajesh Miranda, PhD, explains how 5% of people have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD).
https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/shorts/5-of-people-in-the-us-have-fasd-and-doctors-must-change-how-they-diagnose-it
Children’s National Hospital – Researchers
advance new drug development for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are among the most common
preventable causes of developmental disability, affecting an estimated 2% to 5%
of children in the United States and Western Europe.
https://innovationdistrict.childrensnational.org/researchers-advance-new-drug-development-for-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders/
Now Habersham (USA) – Ossoff backs
bipartisan bill to expand support for children with disabilities
Georgia’s U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is backing a bipartisan push to expand
federal support for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, citing gaps
in services for affected families in Georgia and across the country.
https://nowhabersham.com/ossoff-backs-bipartisan-bill-to-expand-support-for-children-with-disabilities/
Times of India – Scientists warn: Even
small amounts of alcohol during pregnancy can permanently damage a baby’s brain
In a breakthrough, researchers at Texas A&M University have found that
alcohol consumption during pregnancy can cause permanent brain damage in unborn
babies.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parenting/pregnancy/scientists-warn-even-small-amounts-of-alcohol-during-pregnancy-can-permanently-damage-a-babys-brain/articleshow/125079593.cms
RNZ (New Zealand) – Neurodivergent youth
more likely to die before age of 25 than peers, study finds
Young people with a neurodevelopmental condition are five times more likely
to die before the age of 25 than those without one, a study has found.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577955/neurodivergent-youth-more-likely-to-die-before-age-of-25-than-peers-study-finds
Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada)
– Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: a guideline for diagnosis across the
lifespan
https://www.cmaj.ca/content/188/3/191/T1
CanFASD – Removing barriers: an
FASD-informed approach to substance use treatment
Each year, National Addictions Awareness Week highlights solutions that help
address the harms related to alcohol and other drugs. From November 16–22,
Canadians are invited to learn more about prevention, harm reduction,
treatment, and recovery.
https://canfasd.ca/2025/11/17/removing-barriers-an-fasd-informed-approach-to-substance-use-treatment/
VIDEOS
FARR (Foundation for Alcohol Related Research) – Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD) Behaviour Management
Welcome to the 5th video of our series, addressing key aspects related to
FASD. In this video former FARR Researcher, Dr Jaco Louw discusses some general
principles that can help with behavioural challenges faced by individuals
living with FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svpJ7BiMEoM
FASDSUCCESS – Mental Health & FASD:
Hope, Healing, and What We Can Do | Dr. Jackie Pei
In this powerful conversation, Jeff Noble sits down with Dr. Jackie Pei,
senior researcher and psychologist with CANFASD, to unpack one of the most
important and misunderstood parts of FASD — mental health.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czvcBaY5FeE
Health Nexus Santé – FASD, COVID-19, and
Aggression
The webinar presents new research updates on child-to-parent aggression in
the home. Speakers Maude Champagne and Lauri Cabral will present current
initiatives aimed at responding to childhood aggression towards family members
in the context of FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5-AAX-dvQ4
Health Nexus Santé – FASD and Sleep
(English)
The reasons for sleep difficulties in children with FASD and the potential
impact of poor sleep on the child and family will be highlighted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpemUOlLp_s
Health Nexus Santé – FASD and Animal
Assisted Services
In this presentation, the CFAS’ National Director/CEO Joanne Moss and
Social Worker Azra Alibhai will review latest evidence about animal assisted
services and how they can ease anxiety and stress for individuals with FASD or
other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BdIjay2XGo
FASDSUCCESS – The Brain–Gut Connection
& FASD | Dr. Tamara Bodnar on Microbiome Science
In this fascinating (and funny) episode, Jeff Noble talks with Dr. Tamara
Bodnar from UBC about her pioneering research on the gut–brain axis in FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCaaMqiIPxU
CanFASD – Canada FASD Conference Film
Festival 2025: Runner Up – An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD
“An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD” is a short film by
Reinier deSmit, recognized as the Third Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference
Film Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrW5DEJTMTk
CanFASD – The Story of AFECT – CanFASD’s
Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team
The Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team (AFECT) was developed to make sure
the voices of those with FASD are included in the research process. It is a
group of adults with FASD across Canada who meet monthly with CanFASD members
to talk about FASD research.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kUEficZnrM
CanFASD – Canada FASD Conference Film
Festival 2025: Runner Up – Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD
“Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD” is a short film by
FASD-Can, recognized as the Second Runner-Up at the Canada FASD Conference Film
Festival 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nciXP_i293Y
FASD United (formerly NOFAS) – FASD United
Policy Forum – October 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghlmw3J_Rkk
PCA Families – PCAF Intro to FASD 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8Sov6kE0eI
FASDSUCCESS – From Fires to Foundations
with the Freemans
What if you could hear the same family one year apart and actually feel the
shift from chaos to connection? In this powerful before-and-after episode, Jeff
revisits Angela Freeman and her two kids, Ruby and Elias.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bzDv7pWeOI
Your Biggest Breakthrough – Adoption, FASD,
& Faith: How Joel Sheagren Turned Family Struggles into a God-Given Mission
We’ve got an episode today that’s going to stop you in your tracks. You’re
going to meet Joel Sheagren, an award-winning filmmaker whose story feels like
a movie itself, only this one’s real, raw, and full of God’s fingerprints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnlbdOwfPDc
Real Talk with Tina and Ann – Beyond Shame:
Hearing “It’s Not Your Fault with RJ Formanek on Living with FASD part 2
We dig into life with FASD beyond labels: how shame warps identity, how
routines protect mornings, and why late-blooming brains change everything.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2oCu6N_tDs
RESEARCH
University of Alberta – Mental Health Professionals’ Competence and Current
Practices Responding to Suicidality in Individuals with FASD
People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience elevated
rates of mental health challenges compared to the general population. Of
particular concern are the elevated rates of suicidality consistently reported
among people with FASD.
https://ualberta.scholaris.ca/items/cb85f6aa-845f-4452-927c-eac2957152d2
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research – Renal
and cardiovascular function in children with FASD: Potential links to food
approach and avoidance behaviors
Together, these findings suggest that renal and cardiovascular function may
be altered in children and adolescents with FASD, which may be linked to
abnormal food-related behaviors and/or other clinical or demographic factors.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41243430/
Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research – The
Families Moving Forward Connect Teacher Companion website: Development and
initial pilot randomized trial of an FASD-informed resource for teachers
The FMF Connect Teacher Companion website is a feasible, acceptable
FASD-informed resource for teachers.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.70189
BMC Oral Health – Exploring the knowledge,
attitudes, and potential role of oral health practitioners in FASD screening in
South Africa
The findings reveal substantial knowledge gaps among South African OHPs
regarding FASD, but also indicate strong interest and readiness to advance
their knowledge.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12903-025-07017-8
Adoption & Fostering – Perspectives of
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder diagnoses in children: The experiences of
adoptive parents in Scotland
Caring for a child with FASD brings significant challenges, often driven by
shortcomings in professional knowledge and services. Parents described their
futures as highly uncertain, with mental health, social support and financial
wellbeing reported as being precarious.
https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/perspectives-of-fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder-diagnoses-in-chil/
Adoption Quarterly – Parenting Adopted
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Risk and Protective
Factors
A higher prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has been
found among adopted children. This condition may pose significant challenges
for their parents, potentially affecting their mental health.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10926755.2025.2583535
Česká Gynekologie – Determination of
markers of ethyl alcohol consumption in pregnancy
This study confirms that EtG and EtS are reliable markers of ethanol
exposure in meconium. However, we were unable to determine definitive cut off
values for PAE based on these biomarkers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41170789/
Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders – Some
Today, More Tomorrow: A Pilot Study on Delay Discounting in Adolescents with
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Results provide preliminary discounting rates that can serve as a point of
reference for future research on reward processing in FASD. Results
additionally demonstrate the heterogeneity of FASD presentations on a measure
of delay discounting.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41252-025-00467-9
Developmental Neuroscience – Abnormal
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Following Prenatal
Alcohol Exposure and Placental Insufficiency in a Preclinical Model
While all areas analyzed were impacted by the prenatal insults, the
striatum, which consists primarily of efferent pathways, appears more
vulnerable to injury compared to the PFC.
https://karger.com/dne/article/doi/10.1159/000549504/939215/Abnormal-Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging-in-the-Medial
BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health – Role
of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy in early-life child
neurodevelopment: results of the Italian PHIME cohort
Low levels of PAE were not associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at
18 months, except for possible motor impairment at higher exposures: our
findings highlight the predominant influence of maternal IQ and the home
environment.
https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/early/2025/11/10/bmjnph-2025-001313
Neuropharmacology – Prenatal alcohol
exposure induces circular and linear long non-coding RNAs, and protein-coding
genes linked to proinflammatory neuroimmune function, promoting nerve
injury-induced allodynia following morphine treatment
This study characterized spinal transcriptomics and explored potential
roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) underlying this paradoxical effect of
morphine in PAE mice.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0028390825004642
NeuroMarkers – This review summarizes
advances in the literature on microRNAs as
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders constitute a range of physical and
cognitive abnormalities in newborn infants that are caused by prenatal alcohol
exposure.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950588725001089
BMC psychiatry – Association of prenatal
alcohol exposure and prenatal depressive symptoms with offspring hair cortisol
in childhood and adolescence
The present study provides further evidence of long-term effects of alcohol
consumption during pregnancy on the HPA axis development of the child, as
manifested in distinct trajectories of HCC from primary school age to early
adolescence.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-025-07559-9
Journal of Medical Science, Biology, and
Chemistry – Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intimate Partner Violence among
Women Who Use Alcohol During Pregnancy in Plateau State, Nigeria: A
Cross-Sectional Study
Partner violence and alcohol use disorder among pregnant women are
recognised as major public health problems worldwide, particularly in Africa.
https://journals.stecab.com/jmsbc/article/view/1015
Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders – Talking
to Your Patients About Alcohol, Marijuana, and Substance Use During Pregnancy
The Psychiatric Consultation Service at Massachusetts General Hospital sees
medical and surgical inpatients with comorbid psychiatric symptoms and
conditions.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41248008/
Journal of Addictions and Offender Councelling
– “I Wouldn’t for Myself; I’m Quitting for Her”: Pregnant Hispanic Mothers’
SUD and Trauma Experiences
Pregnant Hispanic women face compounded risks of substance use disorder
(SUD) and trauma exposure, yet little research explores their resilience and
coping from a strengths-based lens.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jaoc.70008
BMJ Public Health – Alcohol consumption
during pregnancy in Scotland following public health interventions:
population-based study
One in four women self-reported alcohol consumption during early pregnancy.
Only MUP was associated with lower consumption among pregnant women. The public
health measures were collectively associated with improvement in select
perinatal outcomes, highlighting the potential effectiveness of universal
interventions.
https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/3/2/e003264
European Journal of Public Health – The use
of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks in pregnancy in the UK
Although alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks are commonly consumed during
pregnancy, there are some safety concerns. Their role as a harm reduction
measure in those who are drinking alcohol at increasing risk levels
prepregnancy needs further investigation.
https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurpub/ckaf188/8317086
IN OTHER LANGUAGES
thesis.unipd.it (Italy) – L’ astinenza neonatale da alcol: efficacia degli
interventi non farmacologici
La gestione non farmacologica della NAS dovuta all’esposizione prenatale
all’alcol si afferma come una pratica efficace e sostenibile, ottenendo
benefici clinici per il neonato e per il contesto assistenziale.
https://thesis.unipd.it/handle/20.500.12608/97311
Krajowe Centrum Przeciwdziałania Uzależnienom
KCPU (Poland) – Rozum (1): Zrozumienie perspektywy dziecka z FASD
Film edukacyjny dla kandydatów na rodziców adopcyjnych oraz rodzin
zastępczych niezawodowych w zakresie FASD.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1efNsET9DwQ
FASD TSAF (Switzerland) – Un cordiale
benvenuto!
Sono aperte le iscrizioni alla formazione di base per chi, nell’ambito
della propria attività professionale, si trova a contatto con persone colpite
da disturbi dello spettro alcolico fetale (FASD). Il corso, organizzato in
collaborazione con Fachverband Sucht, è aperto a tutte le professioni.
https://fasd-schweiz.ch/index.php/it/
Vinmonopolet (Norway) – Alkoholinntak under
amming og graviditet
På denne sida finn du informasjon om alkoholinntak under graviditet og
amming.
https://www.vinmonopolet.no/fag/artikler/alkoholinntak-under-amming-og-graviditet
