Multifaceted case management during pregnancy is associated with better child outcomes and less fetal alcohol syndrome

Abstract

Background: Pregnant women participated in multifaceted case management (MCM) to prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Methods: Women recruited from antenatal clinics for a longitudinal child development study were screened for alcohol use. Forty-four pregnant women were defined as high-risk drinkers on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) by an AUDIT score ≥8 and participated in 18 months of MCM to facilitate reduction or cessation of alcohol consumption. Forty-one women completed MCM. Fifty-five equally high-risk women who received standard antenatal care comprised the comparison/control group. Development in offspring was evaluated by a blinded interdisciplinary team of examiners through 5 years of age. Results: At five years of age, more children (34%) of MCM participating women did not meet the criteria for FASD vs. non-MCM offspring (22%). Furthermore, a statistically significant (p =.01) lower proportion of MCM offspring (24%) was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) compared to controls (49%). Children of MCM participants had significantly (p