Prevention of fetal alcohol effects. An antenatal program for early detection of pregnancies at risk.

The increased consumption of alcoholic beverages by young people must be viewed with great concern, particularly as regards prospective parents. A study was therefore started at four Maternal Health Clinics to develop methods for the early detection of maternal alcohol abuse and for treatment of the women concerned. The study involved 464 consecutive pregnant women. A systematic drinking anamnesis was obtained from all patients. Attention was also paid to additional indicators of maternal alcohol abuse. Four per cent of the women were classified as alcohol abusers, and a further 7% as excessive drinkers. The majority of the mothers reduced their drinking altogether or stopped after receiving information about alcohol. The alcoholic women, on the other hand, needed intensive counseling. Most women welcomed the opportunity to obtain an accurate assessment of the risks of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. One infant was given a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome at birth and another neonate had a partial fetal alcohol syndrome. The antenatal staff identified significantly more women with excessive alcohol consumption, compared with the situation the year prior to starting the program. Family guidance provided by a multidisciplinary team in pregnancy may result in lifelong benefits to both the mother and her child.