Worldwide Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Literature Review Including Meta-Analysis

摘要: Background Although fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) affect communities worldwide, little is known about its prevalence. The objective of this study was to provide an overview the global FASD prevalence. Methods We performed a search in multiple electronic bibliographic databases up August 2015, supplemented with ascendancy and descendancy approach. Studies were considered when published English, included human participants, reported empirical data on prevalence or incidence estimates FASD. Raw transformed using Freeman–Tukey double arcsine transformation so that followed approximately normal distribution. Once pooled estimates, 95% confidence intervals prediction calculated based meta-analyses proportions random effects models, these back regular rates. Heterogeneity tested Cochran's Q described I2 statistic. Results Among studies estimated general population samples, considerable differences rates between countries found therefore separate for country conducted. Particularly high-prevalence observed South Africa syndrome (55.42 per 1,000), alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (20.25 (113.22 For partial high Croatia (43.01 Italy (36.89 (28.29 1,000). In case birth defects, 10.82 1,000 Australia. However, into exhibited substantial heterogeneity, which could only partly be explained by moderators, most notably geography descent, meta-regressions. addition, moderators confounded, making conclusions as each moderator's relevance tentative at best. Conclusions The worldwide are higher than assumed far, but largely descent. Furthermore, varied considerably terms used methodology methodological quality. must interpreted caution future research it highly recommended report more comprehensive way. Finally, clear guidelines assessing urgently needed, first step toward presented.