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. 2021 Dec;304(6):1399-1407.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-021-06206-4. Epub 2021 Aug 31.

Maternal psycho-social risk factors associated with maternal alcohol consumption and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: a systematic review

Naomi Ward  1 , Helen Correia  1 , Nyanda McBride  2
Affiliations

Maternal psycho-social risk factors associated with maternal alcohol consumption and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: a systematic review

Naomi Ward et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a preventable range of neurocognitive disorders associated with the biological mother's consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. However, on average, 45% of Australian women continue to consume alcohol during pregnancy resulting in a high rate of alcohol-exposed pregnancies and risk of FASD. This level of exposure is higher than the estimated global average of alcohol-exposed pregnancies (9.8%). This systematic literature review aims to identify demographic, health and psycho-social variables associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy which may lead to FASD.

Methods: Using PRISMA principles, this systematic literature review reports on psycho-social factors which increase the risk of alcohol consumption during pregnancy thereby increasing the risk of FASD.

Results: Fourteen studies were accepted into this review. Studies were conducted across several countries and included a total of 386,067 cases. Seven studies were case-controlled and seven were cross-sectional design. Multiple studies identified the significance of prior mental illness, anxiety, depression, exposure to abuse and/or domestic violence and alcohol consumption behaviours of partners and family members as strong predictors of risky alcohol consumption during pregnancy and therefore associated risk of FASD.

Conclusion: Clinical services may be able to use the evidence-based findings from this review to improve assessment and treatment services for vulnerable women to reduce alcohol-exposed pregnancies.

Keywords: Alcohol; FASD; Pregnancy; Psycho-social.

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