Gibson Aubrey C, Velhagen Juliet M, Jaffe Talya, Hill Dina E, Moriarta Marcia L, Valenzuela C Fernando
Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, New Mexico, NM, United States.
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center Albuquerque, New Mexico, NM, United States.
Front Pediatr. 2025 Jun 27;13:1603765. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1603765. eCollection 2025.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental impairments caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, affecting cognitive, behavioral, and social functioning. Despite its high prevalence, FASD remains underdiagnosed, particularly in regions like New Mexico (NM), where high rates of alcohol use, poverty, and unplanned pregnancies exacerbate the burden of the disorder. Individuals with FASD often face significant challenges in adaptive functioning, education, and social integration, with many experiencing adverse childhood events that compound developmental difficulties. Access to appropriate healthcare and social services is hindered by diagnostic complexity, stigma, and exclusion from disability benefits. Limited awareness among healthcare providers, educators, and social workers further impedes early intervention, leading to increased risks of poor academic performance, unemployment, homelessness, and criminal justice involvement. Specialized FASD clinics play a critical role in diagnosis and support, but remain insufficient to meet the needs of affected individuals. Expanding education, advocacy, and tailored support services is essential to addressing these gaps. By enhancing awareness, integrating FASD-specific disability benefits, and strengthening community-based programs, long-term outcomes for individuals with FASD can be significantly improved.
胎儿酒精谱系障碍（FASD）包括一系列由产前酒精暴露引起的神经发育障碍，影响认知、行为和社会功能。尽管其患病率很高，但FASD仍未得到充分诊断，尤其是在新墨西哥州（NM）等地区，那里高酒精使用率、贫困和意外怀孕加剧了该疾病的负担。患有FASD的个体在适应性功能、教育和社会融入方面往往面临重大挑战，许多人经历了加重发育困难的童年不良事件。诊断复杂性、耻辱感以及被排除在残疾福利之外阻碍了获得适当的医疗保健和社会服务。医疗保健提供者、教育工作者和社会工作者的认识有限，进一步阻碍了早期干预，导致学业成绩差、失业、无家可归和卷入刑事司法系统的风险增加。专门的FASD诊所在诊断和支持方面发挥着关键作用，但仍不足以满足受影响个体的需求。扩大教育、宣传和量身定制的支持服务对于弥补这些差距至关重要。通过提高认识、整合针对FASD的残疾福利以及加强基于社区的项目，可以显著改善患有FASD个体的长期结局。
