Written by Avneet Kaur.
Most people think of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) as a brain-based condition. For example, they might think about learning differences, memory problems, or trouble with attention. However, we have more recently come to acknowledge and talk about FASD as a whole-body disorder that can have impacts on both mental and physical health for people with FASD. The authors of a recent research review, Beyond the Brain: The Physical Health and Whole-Body Impact of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by Vanderpeet, Akison, Moritz, Hayes, and Reid (2025), explore how FASD affects the whole body, not just the brain.
About the Study
The authors of this review looked at research based on the FASD Changemakers Health Survey. More than 500 young adults and adults with FASD completed this survey. The researchers used the survey results to find other studies about physical health, focusing on health areas that have historically not received as much attention in FASD.
Key Research Findings
The researchers found that people with FASD experienced many physical health conditions across several areas, including:
- Metabolism and body composition
- Immune system
- Heart and kidney health
- Sleep
- Reproductive health
- Hearing and vision
This research is particularly important for those with living experience of FASD. A focus only on the brain means that physical health conditions can go unnoticed and untreated.
As identified in this review, people with FASD often experience thyroid issues and trouble managing blood sugar. In one study included in this review, the authors noted that adults with FASD had double the rate of high blood pressure or metabolic issues (e.g., abnormal lipid metabolism) compared to adults without FASD.
Sleep issues are also common among people with FASD. Poor sleep affects attention, mood, and learning, which can make daily life even more challenging for people with FASD.
The authors of this review also found higher rates of hearing and vision problems. Differences in the immune system may cause people with FASD to get sick more often.
What Needs to Happen?
Health care and allied health professionals should be encouraged to look at the whole person with FASD to best support their unique strengths and areas of need, including their physical health. This support means checking physical health along with behaviour and learning, which should include regular health check-ups. Health care providers should be encouraged to routinely check thyroid, sleep, vision, hearing, heart, kidney, and reproductive health among individuals with FASD, given the commonality of these health challenges and evolving understandings of FASD as a whole-body disorder.
To achieve this goal, the researchers suggest moving forward with a holistic approach to FASD. This approach includes:
- Monitoring health at every age
- Making physical health a priority alongside brain-based support; and
- Involving people with living and lived experience of FASD in guiding future research and care
FASD is complex, but understanding the whole body helps us provide better support. For more information, please refer to the full paper.
Avneet Kaur is a student in the Addictions and Mental Health program at Cambrian College in Sudbury, Ontario. Originally from India, she is currently completing her field placement with CanFASD. She is passionate about reducing stigma and improving support for individuals and families affected by FASD.