Results of a screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are associated with neuropsychological and behavioral measures

Matthew T Hyland; Natasia S Courchesne-Krak; Gemma A Bernes; Jeffrey R Wozniak; Kenneth L Jones; Miguel Del Campo; Edward P Riley; Sarah N Mattson; CIFASD

doi:10.1111/acer.15133

Results of a screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are associated with neuropsychological and behavioral measures

Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2023 Aug;47(8):1560-1569. doi: 10.1111/acer.15133. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Authors

Matthew T Hyland¹, Natasia S Courchesne-Krak¹, Gemma A Bernes¹, Jeffrey R Wozniak², Kenneth L Jones³, Miguel Del Campo³, Edward P Riley¹, Sarah N Mattson¹; CIFASD

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.
² Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
³ Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, California, USA.

PMID: 37328959
PMCID: PMC10724376 (available on 2024-08-01)
DOI: 10.1111/acer.15133

Abstract

Purpose: This study assessed whether the outcome of a screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), the FASD-Tree, was associated with neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes.

Methods: Data for this study were collected as part of the fourth phase of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD-4). Participants (N = 175, 5 to 16 years) with or without histories of prenatal alcohol exposure were recruited from San Diego and Minneapolis. Each participant was screened using the FASD-Tree and administered a neuropsychological test battery; parents or guardians completed behavioral questionnaires. The FASD-Tree incorporates physical and behavioral measures and provides an outcome regarding the presence of FASD (FASD-Positive or FASD-Negative). Logistic regression was used to test whether the FASD-Tree outcome was associated with general cognitive ability, executive function, academic achievement, and behavior. Associations were tested in two groups: the whole sample and only correctly classified participants.

Results: Results of the FASD-Tree were associated with neuropsychological and behavioral measures. Participants classified as FASD-Positive were more likely than those classified as FASD-Negative to have a lower IQ score and exhibit poorer performance on measures of executive and academic functions. Behaviorally, participants classified as FASD-Positive were rated as having more behavior problems and adaptive difficulties. Similar relationships were found for all measures when including only participants correctly classified by the FASD-Tree screening tool.

Conclusion: Results from the FASD-Tree screening tool were associated with neuropsychological and behavioral measures. Participants classified as FASD-Positive were more likely to have impairment in all domains tested. The results support the effectiveness of the FASD-Tree as a screening tool for use in clinical settings, providing an efficient and accurate way to identify patients in need of additional evaluation.

Keywords: behavior; diagnosis; fetal alcohol spectrum disorders; neuropsychological assessment; prenatal alcohol exposure; screening tool.

Abstract

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