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Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is a known risk factor for a range of adverse outcomes, such as facial dysmorphism, adverse birth outcomes, and neurodevelopmental changes. Preclinical research shows that PAE also inhibits lung development, lowers surfactant protein expression, has detrimental effects on alveolar macrophages, and decreases both T and B cell numbers. However, clinical evidence of respiratory impacts from PAE is limited. This study explored whether lung function, wheeze, and incidence of respiratory infections differ in children with PAE compared with unexposed children. Methods: Data from the Barwon Infant Study (n = 1074) were examined. PAE data were extracted from maternal questionnaires at trimesters 1 and 2 (combined), and trimester 3, and included as "total standard drinks" during each trimester and total pregnancy intake, a binary yes/no for PAE, and binge drinking (>5 standard drinks in one session). Respiratory outcomes were parent‐reported wheeze, lung function (measured by multiple breath washout), and parent report and medical record indicators of health service attendances for respiratory conditions. Linear and logistic regressions were performed to quantify relationships between PAE and respiratory outcomes, controlling for socioeconomic status, birthweight, sex, gestational age, and maternal smoking. Results: Binge drinking was associated with increased health service attendance for respiratory condition(s) in the first 12 months of life (OR = 5.0, 95% CI (1.7, 20.7), p = 0.008). We did not find a relationship between binary PAE and binge drinking with lung function at 4 weeks of age or wheeze at 12 months. The number of standard drinks consumed in trimester two was associated with a lower lung clearance index (β = −0.011 turnovers, 95% CI (−0.0200, −0.0013), p = 0.03), and a small increase in functional residual capacity (β = 0.34 mL, 95% CI (0.02, 0.66), p = 0.04). Conclusions: We found an association between binge drinking and health service utilization for respiratory conditions in infancy, but no evidence that low‐level PAE was associated with adverse respiratory outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook a scoping review to identify the factors outside of current fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic criteria to be considered as part of a holistic assessment process. This included physical, social, cultural, mental health and wellbeing factors to inform targeted recommendations and supports to improve outcomes for individuals with FASD. Evidence from this review will be used to inform the revision of the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD. Six electronic databases were searched. Studies were eligible if they included factors outside of the diagnostic criteria that cover dysmorphology, growth restriction, neurodevelopmental impairments. Data charting and content analysis were performed to synthesize the results. One hundred twenty‐one studies were included that spanned 12 key areas These included physical health, sleep, adverse postnatal experiences, substance use/other risk‐taking behaviors, contact with the criminal justice system, mental health, First Nations cultural considerations, transition to adult roles, involvement with the out‐of‐home care system, feeding and eating, strengths/interests/external resources and incontinence. Areas to be considered as part of a holistic assessment and diagnostic process spanned individual, family, and system level factors. Results provide guidance for clinicians on the wide range of factors that could influence long‐term health, development, and wellbeing for individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD. In practice, this guidance can be used to inform an individualized assessment process to facilitate tailored recommendations and supports to best meet the complex needs of individuals living with FASD and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous reviews have examined annual mean costs of care for individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), costs of the health burden, costs to the justice system, productivity losses for caregivers, and both the monetary and nonmonetary costs of reduced quality of life. However, because there have been no published reviews focused on understanding the resource implications and specific service features for the assessment and diagnostic process for FASD, the current scoping review investigated the available evidence on these topics. Eligible studies were identified through a systematic search of six databases and included if they contained information on the potential costs or models of care associated with undertaking an assessment for FASD. Data were charted, underwent content analysis, and were reported according to the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. Eleven studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis. The primary patient costs were attributed to the lengthy time required for diagnosis (up to 47 h). The primary service costs were attributed to costs of clinicians and support personnel and the involvement of multidisciplinary teams in the assessment process. Estimates of the specific dollar values of diagnostic costs were limited and varied between studies. Several models of care were explored, primarily in Canadian clinics, which aimed to capitalize on available services to improve accessibility and patient care and reduce service costs. This study provides important preliminary insights into the resource implications and models of care involved in the diagnostic assessment of FASD. However, the low number of available studies and variability in available data highlight the need for formal costing studies and detailed information gathering on available models of care to inform future clinical practice and policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early assessment and diagnosis of FASD are crucial in providing therapeutic interventions that aim to enhance meaningful participation and quality of life for individuals and their families, while reducing psychosocial difficulties that may arise during adolescence and adulthood. Individuals with lived experience of FASD have expertise based on their own lives and family needs. Their insights into the assessment and diagnostic process are valuable for improving service delivery and informing the provision of meaningful, person‐ and family‐centered care. To date, reviews have focused broadly on the experiences of living with FASD. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize qualitative evidence on the lived experiences of the diagnostic assessment process for FASD. Six electronic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, CINAH, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from inception until February 2021, and updated in December 2022. A manual search of reference lists of included studies identified additional studies for inclusion. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program Checklist for Qualitative Studies. Data from included studies were synthesized using a thematic analysis approach. GRADE‐CERQual was used to assess confidence in the review findings. Ten studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the review. Thematic analysis identified 10 first‐level themes relating to four over‐arching topics: (1) pre‐assessment concerns and challenges, (2) the diagnostic assessment process, (3) receipt of the diagnosis, and (4) post‐assessment adaptations and needs. GRADE‐CERQual confidence ratings for each of the review themes were moderate to high. The findings from this review have implications for referral pathways, client‐centered assessment processes, and post‐diagnostic recommendations and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which compared three systems for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) to determine the degree of association among these systems. It references a study "Comparison of Three Systems for the Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in a Community Sample," by C. D. Coles et al, published in a previous issue. Cited are study findings which prompted renewed call to improve approaches for developing FASD diagnostic criteria.