title: Diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD): fatty acid ethyl esters and neonatal hair analysis.
abstract: Measuring levels of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in hair has been recently shown to discriminate between adult heavy and non-drinkers. Here, we review the potential of neonatal FAEE measurement in detecting infants exposed to alcohol in utero by outlining current progress in the development of a neonatal hair test for the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Developing a reproducible, accurate and predictable hair test for FAEE measurements in neonatal hair may prove to be a powerful tool in the detection of in utero alcohol exposure which is needed for the diagnosis of FASD. Such a neonatal hair test can revolutionize current FASD diagnostic methodology by providing early diagnosis, allowing intervention and treatment at stages where the adverse effects of alcohol can still be mitigated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology and Motherisk Program,The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniela L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Caprara
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Gideon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D004952:Esters / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004952:Esters; D005227:Fatty Acids