The 3rd International Conference on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Integrating Research, Policy, and Promising Practice Around the World: A Catalyst for Change

March 11 - 14, 2009
Victoria Conference Centre
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

This international conference will provide a forum to discuss and examine current research, policy and practice that will assist parents, caregivers, service systems and governments as they strive to prevent FASD and to provide a range of supports for people living with it. The conference will enhance our knowledge and collaboration, sharing findings of researchers and frontline professionals with recognized expertise and from diverse cultures. Individuals living with FASD, their parents, families, professionals, communities and policy makers will be present and will speak throughout the conference. For further information, or a downloadable flyer, please visit our website at www.interprofessional.ubc.ca or contact (604) 822-7524 or via e-mail ipad@interchange.ubc.ca.

FACE Satellite Meeting at the 2009 RSA Scientific Conference

June 21, 2009: 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego, California

This lunchtime session will highlight new Canadian FASD research. There is no registration fee. To attend, RSVP to susan.santiago@sickkids.ca by June 3, 2009.

AGENDA

Development of Canadian Screening Tools for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Gideon Koren, Director, Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto; Richard and Jean Ivey Chair in Molecular Toxicology, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the most common cause of neurobehavioural handicap in North America. Screening for FASD may facilitate diagnosis and management of affected individuals. We critically reviewed and evaluated published and practiced methods for: potential to screen suspected cases; epidemiological characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values); and feasibility. Five tools aimed at screening different populations were selected for a Canadian FASD screening toolkit.

The Complex Etiology of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Sara A. Stevens^1,2, Kelly Nash^2,3, Erin D. Sheard², Ellen Fantus⁴, Donna Sorbara⁴, Gideon Koren⁴, & Joanne Rovet^2,4
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto; ² Department of Psychology, Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children; ³ Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, University of Toronto; ⁴The Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children

In an exploratory analysis of 63 children with documented history of prenatal alcohol exposure, we compared the cognitive-behavioural and background characteristics of children who received a FASD diagnosis, versus those who did not. Both groups were clinically impaired on cognitive-behavioural measures; however the FASD group showed more severe deficits and reduced IQs. Notably, neglect was the only background factor that differentiated the groups. These findings highlight the interplay of factors involved in the complex etiology of FASDs.

Pilot Study on Neonatal Screening for Prenatal Ethanol Exposure in the Region of Grey Bruce, Ontario
Irene Zelner, Graduate Student, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

This study aims to establish the clinical value of meconium fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) analysis as a universal screening tool intended for the identification of infants at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). We are assessing the level of voluntary participation in a prenatal alcohol exposure screening program with informed consent, and determining the logistics and feasibility of implementing the necessary follow-up and intervention programs as part of routine care. In addition, we will determine whether FAEE-positive meconium is associated with neurodevelopmental delays.

The Use of Hair Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters (FAEE) Analysis to Identify Mothers at Risk for FASD
Netta Fulga, Lab Research Project Coordinator, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto

A diagnostic program to detect excessive alcohol use by FAEE hair analysis in parents at high risk of having children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) was established in 2005. The objective of the study is to examine the relationship between social worker reports and the FAEE test as biomarker for heavy alcohol use.

Prenatal Exposure to Stress and Ethanol Produce Sex-Specific Changes to Long-term Potentiation in the Dentate Gyrus of Rats
Andrea K. Titterness, PhD and Brian R Christie, Ph.D. M.Sc., University of British Columbia

Animal models of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder indicate that prenatal ethanol exposure (PNEE) impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Prenatal stress, like PNEE, can reduce LTP in male offspring. Surprisingly, it is unknown how either PNEE or prenatal stress affects LTP in the hippocampus of females. We found that PNEE impairs LTP in male offspring but enhanced LTP in female offspring compared to controls and prenatal stress reduced LTP only in females following PNEE.

Formic Acid and Child IQ After Maternal Drinking
Bhushan M. Kapur, D.Phil, C.Chem, FRSC, FACB, FCACB, Assistant Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that formic acid present in the maternal-fetal unit is associated with cognitive and motor deficits in young children born to alcohol drinking mothers. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained at the time of delivery and tested for formic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Information on maternal drug and alcohol use was collected for all mother-baby pairs. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development was administered to infants/toddlers at 6 month intervals from 16 days to 3 years of age. The Scales measured cognition, motor functioning, language, and adaptive behavior. This interim report describes outcome measurements obtained in eighteen babies who have reached 12 months of age. The average age of mothers in this study was 27.15 years old (range 16 to 41). Formic measurements were obtained for twelve mother-baby pairs. Cognitive function in the children was negatively correlated to formic acid concentration in maternal/ cord blood at 12 months of age (r= -0.6154, p=0.025, n=12). These preliminary data suggests that formic acid formed in the maternal-fetal unit during pregnancy contributes to cognitive dysfunction in this cohort of children.

For information about the Research Society on Alcoholism 2009 Annual Meeting and RSA Lodging Reservation please visit the RSA website @ http://www.rsoa.org/.

10th Annual Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise (FACE) Research Roundtable
September 9, 2009
Old Mill Inn
Toronto, Ontario

Preliminary Program

The Roundtable will feature the 2009 FACE POSTER DISPLAY and COMPETITION for Best Poster Award for Original Research and Best Student Poster Award.

Download the Call for Poster Abstracts to compete for the Best Poster Award for Original Research (prize of $200) and the Best Student Poster Award for excellence by a trainee (prize of $150.00).

Download the Registration Form