|
|
Article: Characteristics of mothers of children with fetal alcohol syndrome in the Western Cape Province of South Africa: a case control study *.
- Article from:
- Journal of Studies on Alcohol
- Article date:
- January 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
SINCE THE FIRST recognition and documentation of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) as a distinct birth defect (Jones and Smith, 1973), the search for unique maternal characteristics, risk factors and protective factors has been a goal of researchers, both for determining the specific etiology of FAS and for prevention. Epidemiologic studies of mothers who drink during pregnancy have identified traits, in addition to drinking alcohol heavily during pregnancy, that are strongly associated with FAS births. Women who were older, multigravidas, not currently married, and who smoked cigarettes and used other drugs were more likely to have children with FAS (Sokol et al., 1980). Later ...