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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome    
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Tracking Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

The reported prevalence rates of FAS vary widely depending on the population studied and the surveillance methods used. CDC studies show FAS prevalence rates ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 per 1,000 live births in different areas of the United States. Other prenatal alcohol-related conditions, such as alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) and alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD), are believed to occur approximately three times as often as FAS.

Population-based surveillance of FAS is important to document the magnitude of the problem and to monitor trends in the occurrence of this preventable birth defect. In 1997, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established or enhanced statewide, population-based surveillance of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). 

Purposes of FAS Surveillance Network

The specific purposes of the population-based Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet) initiative and the cooperative agreements are to

  • Enhance an existing system or develop and implement a new system that uses a multiple-source surveillance methodology to enable researchers to determine the prevalence of FAS within a geographically defined area (statewide, multiple states, or regions within a state);

  • Improve the capacity to ascertain true cases of FAS and generate population-based surveillance data;

  • Establish relations with facilities or programs where FAS is likely to be diagnosed or children with FAS receive services, such as high-risk newborn registries, special diagnostic units, special education programs, special needs registries, and other programs or settings for children with developmental disabilities;

  • Evaluate the completeness of the surveillance system methodology, the system's ability to generate a prevalence rate for FAS, and the potential for monitoring trends; and

  • Implement health-care provider training and education on FAS to improve case ascertainment, referral and case-management practices, and prevention activities.

FASSNet Sites

FASSNet projects are in five states.  Click on a state listed below to learn more about its program. This cooperative agreement will end September 29, 2003.

DISCLAIMER: Links to organizations outside of CDC are included for information only. CDC has no control over the information at these sites. Views and opinions of these organizations are not necessarily those of CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS).

FASSNet links to the pdf formatted documents Adobe reader symbolmedical provider education materials and a Adobe reader symbolcharting tool to enhance FAS case ascertainment and improve the surveillance of FAS. 

Documents bearing the Adobe reader symbol  logo are in the Portable Document Format (PDF) and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader for proper viewing. 

Visit  http://www.adobe.com/ to get a free  copy of Adobe Reader.

FASSNet Findings

FASSNet data indicate that many children continue to be affected by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. The rate of FAS in children born during the three year time period from 1995 through 1997 in four of the FASSNet states (Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, and New York) ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 per 1,000 live births and varied by race/ethnicity.

Click here to learn more about FASSNet’s findings.

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This page was last updated Thursday, August 05, 2004

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National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.