Assessing the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome: understanding substance use among pregnant women.

Fetal alcohol exposure is a common cause of birth defects and developmental disorders. As many as 1 in 100 children in the United States are believed to be affected by fetal alcohol exposure. Characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) include abnormal facial features, growth impairment, problems with learning, memory, attention span, problem solving, speech, and hearing. FAS is 100% preventable. Preliminary data from 1704 pregnant women in Minnesota were assessed: substance use during pregnancy, risk factors related to substance use during pregnancy, and how substance use among pregnant women varies across the state. Of the sample, 19.6% of the women were calculated to have drunk alcohol while pregnant. Nondrinkers were more likely to be married and unemployed than drinkers. The drinkers reported significantly higher levels of depressed mood and greater number of problems with alcohol than their abstaining counterparts. Abstainers reported a greater number of pregnancies and initiated their first prenatal visit earlier than the drinkers. Significant differences in prenatal substance use and related factors also emerged by geographic region in Minnesota. Findings are discussed in relation to prevention and policy efforts.