FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME IN SASKATCHEWAN - UNCHANGED INCIDENCE IN A 20-YEAR PERIOD

Despite major initiatives in public and professional education about f oetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in Saskatchewan in the last 20 years, its incidence rate has not fallen. The rate was 0.515 per 1,000 live birt hs in 1973-1977 and 0.589 in 1988-1992. Two hundred and seven (207) ca ses were ascertained, the majority being patients of the Alvin Buckwol d Child Development Program in Saskatoon. These individuals were sever ely handicapped: 72% had at least one malformation, the mean intellige nce quotient was 67.8 (range 35-106) and 45.9% had a behaviour problem . Only 25.6% still lived with their biological parents when last seen, and only 27 of 108 cases were in a regular class at school without ad ditional support being necessary. New approaches are needed to reduce the incidence of FAS. Emphasis should be placed on individual case-fin ding, counselling for high-risk women, and community development progr ams. We are currently attempting this through a provincial coordinatin g committee.