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.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1560-1569 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2023 The Authors. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Research Society on Alcohol.
Keywords
- behavior
- diagnosis
- fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- neuropsychological assessment
- prenatal alcohol exposure
- screening tool