PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Suzanne C Tough AU - Margaret Clarke AU - Sterling Clarren TI - Preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Preconception counseling and diagnosis help. DP - 2005 Sep 01 TA - Canadian Family Physician PG - 1199--1201 VI - 51 IP - 9 4099 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/51/9/1199.short 4100 - http://www.cfp.ca/content/51/9/1199.full SO - Can Fam Physician2005 Sep 01; 51 AB - QUESTION: By the time women find out they are pregnant and see a family physician, they might have already consumed alcohol during the pregnancy and affected the development of their fetuses. How can family physicians better prevent exposure to alcohol during pregnancy? ANSWER: Women of childbearing age should be counseled about the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy before they become pregnant. Diagnosing children who have fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can help identify birth mothers who are at risk of other alcohol-exposed pregnancies and who need support to change their behaviour.