Italian Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: prevention and health promotion

Abstract

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy poses significant risks to maternal and fetal health, contributing to a range of adverse outcomes collectively known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). This article reviews evidence-based preventive strategies aimed at mitigating the detrimental effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. Drawing upon literature from various disciplines, interventions are categorized according to their level of prevention: universal, selective, and indicated. Training of personnel and availability of official guidelines are a pre-requisite for effective prevention. Universal prevention strategies include public health campaigns, educational initiatives, and policy interventions aimed at raising awareness about the risks of prenatal alcohol exposure and promoting abstinence during pregnancy. Integrating alcohol screening and brief intervention protocols into routine prenatal care settings can help identify and support women who may be at risk of alcohol use during pregnancy. Consequently, selective and indicated interventions, identifying drinking women, may provide targeted support to pregnant women at risk. Indicated prevention interventions also encompass treatment and rehabilitation strategies for women with a known alcohol abuse problem or who have already had alcohol-exposed pregnancies. Finally, ethical issues related to the stigma associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy are highlighted, to be considered for an effective mother and child health promotion.