How Common is FAS in New Jersey?
It is difficult to provide specific estimates on how often FAS and FASD occur, but conservative estimates indicate that FAS occurs in 1 to 3 children per 1,000 live births, and FASD occurs in as many as 5 to 10 children per 1,000 live births. FAS occurs twice as often as Spina Bifida and five times more often than Down syndrome. Down syndrome and Spina Bifida, the two of the most commonly recognized birth defects, can be easily recognzied in newborns. In comparison, it can be extremely difficult to diagnose FAS and FASD before 8 months of age. See http://www.come-over.to/FAS/USbirths.htm One major frustration of working in the field of prenatal alcohol exposure is not knowing the full extent of the problem. Due to inadequate recognition, diagnosis and surveillance of FAS/FASD, in our state (as well as nationwide), the data has been unable to show a clear picture of the problem we face. As a result of a 1993 New Jersey drug study of laboring women, it is estimated that between 5.8% and
