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Incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Northeastern Manitoba

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Abstract

The incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in northeastern Manitoba was investigated by examining all 745 live births occurring in Thompson General Hospital in 1994. Birth records were screened with criteria designed to capture all potential FAS cases. Cases were then eliminated if follow-up records indicated the child was not developmentally delayed or no longer had the small head or body size identified at birth. Cases still meeting criteria were personally examined. Five cases of FAS were identified among the 46% of eligible children screened at age 2, roughly an incidence of 7.2/1,000. However, because only 46% of the high risk cases were personally examined, incidence could be as high as 14.8/1,000. Only 1/5 FAS cases had been identified prior to our investigation. The results indicate the incidence of FAS in northeastern Manitoba is very high and that much greater effort needs to be made in its prevention and early detection.

Résumé

L’incidence du syndrome d’alcoolisme foetal (SAF) dans le nord-est du Manitoba a été étudiée en examinant les 745 naissances vivantes de l’hôpital général de Thompson en 1994. Les naissances enregistrées ont été examinées avec des critères conçus pour détecter les cas potentiels de SAF. Ensuite, on a éliminé les cas enregistrés où l’enfant n’avait pas de retard dans son développement et ceux dont la taille du corps ou de la tête était anormalement petite à la naissance mais dont le problème s’est résorbé par la suite. Ensuite, les cas répondant encore à nos critères ont été examinés. Cinq cas de SAF ont été identifiés parmi les 46% des enfants éligibles examinés à l’âge de 2 ans, représentant une incidence de 7,2/1 000. Cependant, parce que seulement 46% ont été examinés, l’incidence réelle pourrait être de 14,8/1 000. Avant notre recherche, seulement 1/5 des cas de SAF avait été identifié. Donc, les résultats indiquent que l’incidence du SAF dans le nord-est du Manitoba est élevée et un effort important doit être fait pour le prévenir et le détecter hâtivement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Addiction Centre, Foothills Hospital, Calgary, AB, T2N 2T9, Canada

    Robert J. Williams PhD, CPsych (Clinical Psychologist)

  2. Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

    Felix S. Odaibo MB BS, MRCPI, FRCPC (Pediatric Consultant)

  3. Manitoba Family Services, Thompson, Manitoba, Canada

    Janet M. McGee BSW (Social worker)

Authors
  1. Robert J. Williams PhD, CPsych
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  2. Felix S. Odaibo MB BS, MRCPI, FRCPC
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  3. Janet M. McGee BSW
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Correspondence to Robert J. Williams PhD, CPsych.

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Williams, R.J., Odaibo, F.S. & McGee, J.M. Incidence of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome in Northeastern Manitoba. Can J Public Health 90, 192–194 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404505

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404505

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