Were our forebears aware of prenatal alcohol exposure and its effects? A review of the history of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Full Abstract

Many historical records have been taken out of context when reviewing the history of prenatal alcohol exposure, and the impacts of these histories on modern-day FASD research have been overestimated. Historical records, as early as biblical times, do suggest at least a working awareness of an interaction between alcohol and reproduction of some kind. Contrary to assertions made in some fetal alcohol research, these records do not suggest an ancient awareness of the deleterious effects of alcohol on the developing fetus. Historical records regarding alcoholism and reproduction need to be interpreted critically, in context, and in consideration of the Zeitgeist, or the Spirit of the Times.

Author information

Author/s: Sanders, James L (JL);

Affiliation: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. sanders1(-atsign-)ualberta.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Review

Journal: The Canadian journal of clinical pharmacology = Journal canadien de pharmacologie clinique (Can J Clin Pharmacol), published in Canada. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-; vol 16 (issue 2) : pp e288-95

Dates: Created 2009/05/14; Completed 2009/06/04;

PMID: 19439773, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/4/2009, IMS Date: 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; history
Awareness
Evidence-Based Medicine
Female
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - etiology; history
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.

See 100+ related articles.

See a large map of 100+ related articles.