FASD CENTER FUNCTIONS

In the Children’s Health Act

of 2000, Congress

authorized the FASD

Center for Excellence to:

• Study innovative clinical

interventions and service

delivery improvement strategies.

• Identify communities with exemplary 

comprehensive systems of care for such individuals.

• Provide technical assistance to communities

to develop comprehensive systems of care.

• Train individuals in service systems dealing with

persons and families affected by FASD.

• Develop innovative techniques to prevent FASD.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The FASD Center serves as a national focal point for

information and resources related to FASD. Center

activities include:

• Comprehensive Web-enabled database on FASD

resources and research, with more than 3,000 entries

• Meetings and technical assistance to help build

State capacity to prevent and treat FASD

• Women in recovery summits and birth

mother network to educate and support women

coping with alcohol addiction and raising children

with FASD

• Web site (fascenter.samhsa.gov)

• Toll-free information line (866-STOPFAS) for

professionals, students, parents, people with FASD,

and others interested in FASD

• Training and technical assistance to teach how to

prevent and treat FASD, with over 7,000

participants

• Town Hall meetings in 14 States and the District

of Columbia

PREVENTION PARTNERS

The FASD Center partners with a variety of

organizations and individuals, including:

• Federal, State, and local agencies

• National organizations and experts

• Family and grassroots groups

• Persons and families affected by FASD, who testify

at Town Hall meetings, help plan and lead training

sessions, and serve on the Steering Committee

CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing Address:

2101 Gaither Road, Suite 600

Rockville, MD 20850

Phone Number: 866-STOPFAS (786-7327)

Web site: fascenter.samhsa.gov

E-mail: fascenter@samhsa.gov

Prenatal alcohol exposure is the most preventable cause of developmental disabilities. Yet 1 in 10 U.S.

women drinks alcohol while pregnant.1

 As a result, nearly 40,000 babies are born each year with fetal

alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).2 FASD is lifelong, so hundreds of thousands of adults today are

living with the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.

THE FASD CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

Congress authorized creation of the FASD Center for Excellence in 2001. The FASD Center

is operated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

(SAMHSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

SAMHSA FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

www.samhsa.gov
If you’re pregnant, don’t drink. If you drink, don’t get pregnant.

For more information, visit fascenter.samhsa.gov or call 866-STOPFAS.

REFERENCES

1. Flynn, H.A.; Marcus, S.M.; Barry, K.L.; et al. 2003. Rates and correlates of alcohol use among pregnant women in obstetrics clinics. Alcoholism:

Clinical and Experimental Research, 27:81–87.

2. May, P.A., and Gossage, J.P. 2001. Estimating the Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome: A summary. Alcohol Research & Health, 25(3): 159–167.

3. Stratton, K.; Howe, C.; and Battaglia, F., eds. 1996. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Diagnosis, Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment. Institute

of Medicine. Washington DC: National Academy Press.

4. Kellerman, C., and Kellerman, T. 1999. The Five Million Dollar Baby: The Economics of FAS. come-over.to/FAS/EconomicsFAS.htm.

5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Pregnancy and Substance Use.

The NSDUH Report January 2, 2004.

6. Alcohol consumption among pregnant and childbearing-aged women—United States, 1991 and 1995. 1997. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly

Report, 46(16):346–350.

7. Alcohol use among women of childbearing age—United States, 1991–1999. 2002. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 51(13):273–276.

WHAT IS FASD?

FASD is an umbrella term describing the range of

effects that can occur in an individual whose mother

drank alcohol during pregnancy. These effects may

include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning

disabilities with possible lifelong implications.

FASD is not a clinical diagnosis. It includes conditions

such as fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol-related

neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol-related

birth defects.

HOW OFTEN DOES FASD OCCUR?

FASD occurs in about 10 per 1,000 births in the

United States.2 Some populations, such as American

Indians and Alaska Natives, have higher rates.3

WHAT CAUSES FASD?

The sole cause of FASD is drinking alcohol while

pregnant.

HOW HARMFUL IS ALCOHOL TO A FETUS?

Of all the substances of abuse (including cocaine,

heroin, and marijuana), alcohol causes the most serious

neurologic effects in a fetus.3 Caring for someone with

an FASD can cost as much as $5 million.4

WHY DOES FASD OCCUR?

Despite warnings, pregnant women continue to drink

(9 percent in a recent survey).5 Many drink frequently

(5+ drinks per week) or binge drink (4+ drinks in

one sitting). This type of drinking quadrupled in

the early 1990s6 and has not changed since.7

HOW CAN FASD BE PREVENTED?

First and foremost, women should stop drinking

when they are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Everyone can play a part in FASD prevention. For

example:

• Physicians can advise patients to abstain from

drinking during pregnancy.

• Spouses, partners, friends, and families can support

pregnant women who choose not to drink.

• Alcohol treatment programs can give priority to

pregnant women.

• Schools can teach young people about the dangers

of drinking while pregnant as part of underage

drinking prevention efforts.

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