Maryland Fetal Alcohol Spectrun Disorder Coalition (FASD)

Background

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) was first recognized in 1973 as a collection of birth defects that included distinct dimorphic facial features, mental retardation and other developmental disorders.  Initially FAS was thought to occur only among births to alcoholic or alcoholic-abusing women, but subsequent research findings showed that less obvious but equally disabling developmental disorders also resulted from prenatal alcohol exposure, known collectively as Alcohol-Related Neurodevelopment Disorders (ARND).  Another more inclusive term—“Fetal Alcohol Effects” (FAE)—came into wide use.  Today, both FAS and FAE have been subsumed under the broader and more accurate term, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

US Role in FASD

In February 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General issued the first advisory on alcohol use in pregnancy since 1981.

For additional information, contact:
Mary D. Johnson
Maryland State FASD Coordinator
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Center for Maternal and Child Health
201 West Preston Street Room 309
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-767-5581
Fax: 410-333-5233
MDJohnson@dhmh.state.md.us