Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank during pregnancy.
Maternal alcohol use is a preventable cause of birth defects. Children exposed to alcohol in utero are at risk for growth deficiencies, facial deformities, central nervous impairment, behavioral disorders, and impaired intellectual development. ACOG District II is committed to educating the public of the risks and consequences of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, while offering obstetric providers the proper training and education necessary to improve practice and prevent FASD.
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Task Force led by David Garry, DO, FACOG of Jacobi Medical Center, has developed a patient friendly, FASD prevention toolkit, which has been distributed to District II members and obstetric providers throughout New York State.
NOW AVAILABLE!
FASD prevention handbook Pregnant? Think! Don't Drink!
FASD Poster - A poster addressing FASD has been distributed to women’s health care providers and other various groups across New York State. The poster is available in four languages: English, Russian, Chinese and Haitian Creole. Click here to see the English version. Copies of the FASD poster are available by contacting District II, info@ny.acog.org.
A Patient Education Video
If You Are Pregnant: Think! Don't Drink! (4:23)
PSA - If You're Pregnant - Think, Don't Drink!
If You Are Pregnant: Think! Don't Drink!
WTEN-TV reporter Elisa Streeter interviews Ob/Gyn Mary Elacqua, MD, FACOG who urges women not to drink while pregnant. (3:17).
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Feature - Drinking While Pregnant Still a Problem
Alcohol use during pregnancy can cause birth defects and developmental disabilities. Women who are pregnant or might get pregnant should abstain from using alcohol.
Podcast - Alcohol and Pregnancy Don't Mix (2:32)
Discusses the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy.
Created: 5/18/2009 by National Center for Health Marketing.
Series Name: Ask CDC.
CDC FASD Website
ACOG District II Resources
District II Press Release: "Pregnant Pause" FASD Awareness Day
District II Press Release: FASD
Healthy Woman's Column - Pregnant? Think: Don't Drink!
Additional FASD Resources
ACOG News Release: Well Woman and Prenatal Visits Should Include Alcohol Abuse Screening (July 2011)
March 2011 Update, SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence
Alcohol Consumption During Pregnancy, Obstetrics & Gynecology (Feb. 2011)
FASD Toolkit
NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council Monthly Update Website
NYS Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services FASD Website
Panel Reminds Doctors to Screen for Alcohol Misuse, New York Times (Sept. 2012)
This educational initiative was made possible by a grant from the New York State Developmental Disabilities planning Council.