title: Risk factors for behavioural problems in foetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine risk and protective factors associated with behavioural problems of children and adolescents following prenatal alcohol exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 73 children and adolescents with foetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) were assessed for internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems using the Child Behavior Checklist. Linear regression models were used to determine the effects of diagnostic and environmental risk and protective factors on behaviour, while controlling for age, sex and IQ.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Length of time spent in residential care was the most pervasive risk factor associated with internalizing, externalizing and total behavioural problems. A low dysmorphology score was related to more internalizing and total problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children and adolescents prenatally exposed to alcohol faced greater risk of substantive behavioural problems (i) if they were less visibly alcohol affected and (ii) the longer time they had spent in residential care. The results underscore the clinical importance of appropriate services and care for less visibly affected children with FASD and highlight the need to attend to children with FASD being raised in institutions.
authors.affiliation: Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland. ase.fagerlund@folkhalsan.fi
authors.forename: Ase
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fagerlund
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Autti-Rämö
authors.forename: H Eugene
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Hoyme
authors.forename: Sarah N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Mattson
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000300:Adoption; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005387:Finland; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult