IFM | FASDs in Primary Care: Recognition, Prevention, and Support

IFM | FASDs in Primary Care: Recognition, Prevention, and Support

From Inside Family Medicine by American Academy of Family Physicians

June 8, 2026 · 22 min · Season 1

About this episode

The episode discusses the recognition, prevention, and support of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in primary care settings.

AAFP Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Education, Inclusiveness and Physician Well-Being Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, welcomes back Jeffrey Quinlan, MD, FAAFP, a family physician and University of Iowa department leader with a 28-year US Navy career, to discuss his AAFP work on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD s ) and substance use in pregnancy. He emphasizes that al cohol is a teratogen with n o safe amount or timing in pregnancy and outlines associated neurodevelopmental, craniofacial, organ, growth and behavioral effects. The conversation covers primary care screening and early identification using exposure history and clinical signs, common diagnostic frameworks (COFASP and the University of Washington 4-digit code), multidisciplinary care coordination and prevention through routine screening (AUDIT-C or NIAAA single-question), preconception counseling and stigma reduction. For longitudinal care, Quinlan highlights early intervention, individualized care plans, family support and training, school accommodations, behavioral therapies, nutrition support and medications for comorbid conditions, all using a strength-based approach. Topics by Timestamp…

People in this episode

Hosts: Margot Savoy, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Margot Savoy

Guests: Jeffrey Quinlan, MD, FAAFP, Jeffrey Quinlan

Topics covered

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
  • Substance Use in Pregnancy
  • Primary Care Screening
  • Multidisciplinary Care Coordination
  • Longitudinal Care
  • Prevention Strategies

Keywords

  • FASD
  • alcohol teratogen
  • screening
  • diagnosis
  • care coordination
  • intervention
  • preconception counseling
  • behavioral therapies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AAFP, University of Iowa, US Navy

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