Estimates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) in Canada, various years
Notes:
(1) According to parent/guardian self-report in the RHS 2002/3, 1.8% of participant First Nations children (aged 11 and under) suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effects (considered a broader diagnostic category). First Nations information Governance committee. First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) 2002/03: Results for Adults, Youth and Children Living in First Nations Communities, Second Edition. Ottawa: Assembly of First Nations; 2007. http://fnigc.ca/sites/default/files/ENpdf/RHS_2002/rhs2002-03-technical_report.pdf -accessed August 22, 2017.
(2) One comprehensive community level study has been conducted to determine prevalence rates of FASD; between January 1998 and June 1999, the prevalence of FASD was 193 per 1,000 (or 19.25%) for children in grades one to eight in one Atlantic First Nations community.*
(3) According to Health Canada, among the general Canadian population the incidence of FASD is 1 out of every 500 to 3,000 live births per year, and the incidence of FAE is five to 10 times the incidence of FASD.*
*Health Canada. Fetal alcohol syndrome/Fetal alcohol effects – First nations, Inuit and Aboriginal Health. Health Canada website. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/famil/preg-gros/intro-eng.php -accessed August 2, 2017.
Source: CICH graphic using data adapted from Smylie J and Adomako P. Indigenous Children’s Health Report: Health Assessment in Action. 2009. http://caid.ca/IndChiHeaRep2009.pdf -accessed July 28, 2017.
Currently, no population-based estimates for FASD*** exist for First Nations, Inuit or Métis children in Canada.1
In the 2002/2003 First Nations Regional Health Survey, parents/guardians reported that 1.8% of First Nations children (aged 11 and under) living on reserve suffer from Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE).2
In a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing research-based evidence on the prevalence of FASD in a community setting, it was reported that the rate of FASD for Indigenous children was 0.17%. The pooled estimate of FAS prevalence for Indigenous peoples of 0.2% was not substantially higher than those identified in community samples of the general population.3
According to Health Canada, among the general Canadian population the incidence of FASD is 1 out of every 500 to 3,000 live births per year, and the incidence of FAE is five to 10 times higher than the incidence of FASD.4
***Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) describes a range of disabilities that result from exposure to alcohol during pregnancy.5 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) are birth defects caused by the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.3
1Smylie J and Adomako P. Indigenous Children’s Health Report: Health Assessment in Action. 2009. http://caid.ca/IndChiHeaRep2009.pdf – accessed August 2, 2017.
2First Nations information Governance committee. First Nations Regional Longitudinal Health Survey (RHS) 2002/03: Results for Adults, Youth and Children Living in First Nations Communities, Second Edition. Ottawa: Assembly of First Nations; 2007.available at: http://fnigc.ca/sites/default/files/ENpdf/RHS_2002/rhs2002-03-technical_report.pdf -accessed August 27, 2017.
3Systematic Review on the Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Institute of Health Economics, Alberta, Canada http://fasd.alberta.ca/documents/Systematic_Prevalence_Report_FASD.pdf-accessed July 15, 2017.
4Health Canada. Fetal alcohol syndrome/Fetal alcohol effects – First Nations, Inuit and Aboriginal Health. Health Canada website https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/first-nations-inuit-health/family-health/healthy-pregnancy-babies/fetal-alcohol-syndrome-fetal-alcohol-effects-first-nations-inuit-health-main-page.html– accessed July 24, 2017.
5Public Health Agency of Canada. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/dca-dea/prog-ini/fasd-etcaf/index-eng.php-accessed August 2, 2017.
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)6 result from in utero alcohol exposure and are generally characterized by pre- and/or post-natal growth deficiencies, central nervous dysfunction, and cranio-facial malformations.7 The disabilities associated with FASD can have lifelong implications for the health and well-being of individuals. Although the true extent of FASD among Indigenous children is unknown, FASD is considered a significant public health issue in many Indigenous communities and needs be addressed with culturally appropriate methods “that foster cultural reintegration, personal and collective healing, and positive change.”8
6The full spectrum of effects associated with inutero exposure to alcohol are commonly referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
7Tait, C.L. (2003). Fetal alcohol syndrome among Aboriginal people in Canada: Review and analysis of the intergenerational links to residential schools. Ottawa, ON: Aboriginal Healing Foundation.
8Indian Friendship Centres. (2013). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A position paper. Toronto, ON: Author, p. 4.