Janet E. Huggins

A Pilot Community Intervention for Young Women with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a permanent birth defect caused by maternal alcohol use during pregnancy, is a leading preventable cause of mental retardation. Neuropsychological deficits have been well documented, however interventions developed have not been evaluated. We describe a successful 12-month community pilot intervention with 19 young women with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Improved outcomes (including decreased alcohol and drug use, increased use of contraceptives and medical and mental health care services, and stable housing) were obtained by implementing a community intervention model of targeted education and collaboration with key service providers, and by using paraprofessional advocate case managers as facilitators.

Alcohol use before and during pregnancy in western Washington, 1989-2004: implications for the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders

OBJECTIVE We examined trends in rates of self-reported pregnancy alcohol use among women in western Washington. STUDY DESIGN Between 1989 and 2004, we conducted 3 studies in western Washington State on problems that are associated with maternal prenatal alcohol or drug abuse (n = 12,526). To determine study eligibility, we screened hospitalized postpartum women for alcohol and drug use in the month before and during pregnancy. We examined trends in alcohol use rates and identified characteristics that were associated with any drinking and binge drinking (> or = 5 drinks on any occasion). RESULTS We found a substantial decrease in pregnancy alcohol use between 1989 and 2004 (from 30-12%) across almost all demographic categories. Binge drinking in the month before pregnancy increased significantly among all race categories, except Native American. CONCLUSION Increased prepregnancy binge drinking rates may estimate alcohol use during very early gestation and warrant clinical attention because of the potential for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Alcohol Use Prior to and During Pregnancy in Western Washington, 1989–2004: Implications for Preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

OBJECTIVE We examined trends in rates of self-reported pregnancy alcohol use among women in western Washington. STUDY DESIGN Between 1989 and 2004, we conducted 3 studies in western Washington State on problems that are associated with maternal prenatal alcohol or drug abuse (n = 12,526). To determine study eligibility, we screened hospitalized postpartum women for alcohol and drug use in the month before and during pregnancy. We examined trends in alcohol use rates and identified characteristics that were associated with any drinking and binge drinking (> or = 5 drinks on any occasion). RESULTS We found a substantial decrease in pregnancy alcohol use between 1989 and 2004 (from 30-12%) across almost all demographic categories. Binge drinking in the month before pregnancy increased significantly among all race categories, except Native American. CONCLUSION Increased prepregnancy binge drinking rates may estimate alcohol use during very early gestation and warrant clinical attention because of the potential for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Alcohol use before and during pregnancy in western Washington, 1989-2004

OBJECTIVE We examined trends in rates of self-reported pregnancy alcohol use among women in western Washington. STUDY DESIGN Between 1989 and 2004, we conducted 3 studies in western Washington State on problems that are associated with maternal prenatal alcohol or drug abuse (n = 12,526). To determine study eligibility, we screened hospitalized postpartum women for alcohol and drug use in the month before and during pregnancy. We examined trends in alcohol use rates and identified characteristics that were associated with any drinking and binge drinking (> or = 5 drinks on any occasion). RESULTS We found a substantial decrease in pregnancy alcohol use between 1989 and 2004 (from 30-12%) across almost all demographic categories. Binge drinking in the month before pregnancy increased significantly among all race categories, except Native American. CONCLUSION Increased prepregnancy binge drinking rates may estimate alcohol use during very early gestation and warrant clinical attention because of the potential for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.