{ "abstract": "Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) arising from prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are the leading preventable cause of neurobehavioral disorders. Early pregnancy is particularly vulnerable to ethanol toxicity, yet alcohol use often continues until pregnancy recognition. In Finland, national incidence estimates of PAE and FASD remain limited. Objective: To estimate the incidence of any PAE and heavy PAE in Finland between 1990 and 2025, and to model the annual number of children with FASD born in Finland. Methods: We developed a mathematical modelling framework integrating studies on alcohol use during pregnancy in Finland, biomarker-based estimates of heavy PAE, national population statistics, and international active case ascertainment studies on FASD prevalence. Incidence of any PAE was estimated from self-reported alcohol use, including pre-recognition exposure. Heavy PAE was estimated by combining binge-drinking prevalence, delayed pregnancy recognition, biomarker data and anonymous self-reports. FASD incidence was modelled using two approaches: 1) an international multiplier linking FASD prevalence to heavy episodic drinking prevalence among women (Model M), and 2) a conventional epidemiological ratio between any PAE and FASD (Model L). Results: Self-reported alcohol use during pregnancy declined following abstinence recommendations in the early 2000s, while pre-recognition use remained relatively stable. Heavy PAE decreased from 9% (uncertainty range 7–11%) in the 1990s to 6% (4–8%) in the early 2020s. Any PAE declined from 75% (60–85%) to 32% (26–38%). Modelled FASD incidence showed similar decreasing trends, ranging from 6.8% to 5.6% (Model M), and from 6% to 3% (Model L). Conclusion: PAE remains common in Finland, and the burden of FASD is substantial despite declining trends. Additional biomarker-based studies of PAE and active case ascertainment of FASD are needed to refine current estimates. Strengthened public health efforts to reduce PAE, including the efforts before recognition of pregnancy, are essential.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Faculty of Medicine, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.", "Division of Child Neurology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland.", "Faculty of Science, The University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.", "Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, The University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland.", "Department of Data and Analytics, THL Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.", "Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institute and Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Stockholm, Sweden.", "Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.", "Division of Child Neurology, University of Helsinki, New Children's hospital, Helsinki, Finland." ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 5, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0, 1 ], "name": "Mirjami Jolma", "orcid": "0000-0002-6760-0495" }, { "affs": [ 2, 3 ], "name": "Mikko Koivu-Jolma", "orcid": "0000-0002-2854-7927" }, { "affs": [ 4, 5, 6 ], "name": "Mika Gissler" }, { "affs": [ 7 ], "name": "Anne Sarajuuri" }, { "affs": [ 0, 7 ], "name": "Ilona Autti-Rämö" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7pr9h4bqgsp98.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0349964", "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686515", "id": "7pr9h4bqgsp98", "issns": [ "1932-6203" ], "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349964", "language": "eng", "licence": "CC-BY", "licence_label": "CC BY", "licence_source": "article", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2735|Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Biomarkers" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Nutrition/Diet/Alcohol consumption" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Women's health/Maternal health/Pregnancy" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Women's health/Obstetrics and gynecology/Pregnancy" ], [ "plos", "/People and places/Geographical locations/Europe" ], [ "plos", "/People and places/Geographical locations/Europe/European Union/Finland" ], [ "plos", "/People and places/Population groupings/Ethnicities/European people/Finnish people" ] ], "openalex": "W7223114659", "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13686515?pdf=render", "pmcid": "PMC13686515", "pmid": "42905648", "published": "2026-10-21", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7pr9h4bqgsp98.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:23Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0349964", "source": "plos", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0349964" }, { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z", "native_id": "MED:42905648", "source": "europepmc", "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905648" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:epidemiology", "subfield": "epidemiology-public-health" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:nutrition", "subfield": "nutrition" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:women's health", "subfield": "reproductive-child" } ], "title": "Estimated incidence and number of new cases with prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Finland 1990–2025", "title_text": "Estimated incidence and number of new cases with prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Finland 1990–2025", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:53Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7pr9h4bqgsp98", "venue": "PLOS One", "versions": [] }