Does the incidence of FAS vary for different ethnic groups?
Yes. The incidence varies as follows per 10,000 total births: Asians 0.3, Hispanics 0.8, Whites 0.9, Blacks 6.0, and Native Americans 29.9. The incidence among Native Americans varies among different tribes. Several factors, including cultural influences, patterns of alcohol consumption, nutrition, and metabolic differences may play a role. Even when adjusted for these factors, the incidence for Blacks remains seven times higher than for Whites, suggesting the potential of a genetic susceptibility to FAS. This information was abstracted from fact sheets prepared by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (Alcohol Alert: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the source is appreciated.
