Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct a multivariate analysis of distal influences on maternal risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).Interviews were conducted with mothers of first grade students whose children were evaluated to assess risk for FASD. Topics included: physical/medical status, childbearing history, demographics, mental health, domestic violence, and trauma.Although there is some individual variation in distal maternal risk factors among and within the mothers of children with each of the common diagnoses of FASD, patterns emerged that differentiated risk among mothers of children with FASD from mothers whose children were developing typically. Case control comparisons indicate that mothers of children with FASD were significantly: smaller physically, had higher gravidity and parity, and experienced more miscarriages and stillbirths, were less likely to be married, reported later pregnancy recognition, more depression, and lower formal educational achievement. They were also less engaged with a formal religion, were less happy, suffered more childhood trauma and interpersonal violence, were more likely to drink alone or with her partner, and drank to deal with anxiety, tension, and to be part of a group. Regression modeling utilized usual level of alcohol consumption by trimester and six selected distal variables (maternal head circumference, body mass index, age at pregnancy, gravidity, marital status, and years of formal education) to conclude that these variables explain 57.7% of the variance in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) diagnoses, 30.1% of partial FAS (PFAS) diagnoses, and 46.4% of alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) diagnoses in children with FASD when compared to controls. While the proximal variables explained most of the diagnostic variance, six distal variables explained 16.7% (1 /6 ) of the variance in FAS diagnoses, 13.9% (1 /7 ) of PFAS, and 12.1% (1 /8 ) of ARND.Differences of distal FASD risks were identified. Complex models to quantify risk for FASD hold promise for guiding prevention/intervention.

View details for DOI 10.1111/acer.15246

View details for PubMedID 38105110