Many Adopted Kids from Eastern Europe Have FASD

A study of 71 Eastern European children adopted by Swedish families between 1993 and 1997 found that 52 percent had a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), Reuters reported April 13.

Researchers found that 30 percent of the children had fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), while 14 percent had partial FAS and 9 percent had alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders. In the U.S., only 9 or 10 of every 1,000 children have FASD.

The study authors said that they did not intend to discourage adoptions of Eastern European children. “The findings of this study underscore the danger and risk for damage when children are exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, and also the importance of public-health measures to help (expectant) parents keep away from alcohol,” said lead researcher Magnus Landgren.

The findings were published in the May 2010 issue of the journal Pediatrics.