[Clinical study and prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in medico-social institutions of the Reunion Island].

BACKGROUND

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a major problem in the Reunion Island and the Public Health Authorities decided to determine its prevalence in their medico-social centers on 31 December 1996.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

A questionnaire was established to identify affected patients in the 20 medico-social centers in charge of 1320 children. Eighty-eight children were selected and 87 could be analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-four of 87 (76.3%) were FAS and 23 of 87 (23.7%) had closely alcohol-related diseases. The prevalence was between 7.1 and 14.1% and lower than expected from available data.

CONCLUSION

The study allowed to precise the social and familial factors predisposing to alcohol addiction during pregnancy. A TV prevention message will be broadcasted after this study.