In analyzing data from the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Surveillance Network (FASSNet), a program that tracks FAS by state, researchers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities found that the rate of binge and frequent drinking among pregnant women hasn't declined since 1995.

Specifically, the data showed that the rate of FAS in children born between 1995 and 1997 in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado and New York ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 per 1,000 live births. The highest rates were found among blacks and American Indian/Alaska Natives.

The rates were similar to those found in past studies.

"Fetal alcohol syndrome continues to exist and it is a totally preventable birth defect," said Karen Hymbaugh, who led the study. "Health-care providers should be as vigilant as possible in trying to identify children with fetal alcohol syndrome."

FAS can lead to long-term mental, developmental, and behavioral problems.

The study's findings are published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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