Washington and Alaska statewide fetal alcohol spectrum disorder diagnostic clinical networks: Comparison of three decades of 4-Digit Code diagnostic outcomes and prenatal alcohol exposure histories.

Background: Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) screening, diagnosis, intervention, research and prevention hinges on establishment of interdisciplinary FASD diagnostic clinics using an evidence-based method of diagnosis. In 1993 Washington State opened the first interdisciplinary FASD diagnostic clinic sponsored by the CDC as a FASD primary prevention study. Clinic data was used to develop the evidence-based FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code, paving the way for the clinic's expansion into a statewide network of FASD diagnostic clinics (Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network), now in its 30 Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Results: FASD diagnostic outcomes were similar across 2,532 Washington and 2,469 Alaskan patients. PAE in each State followed similar annual trajectories from 1991-2020. Both States documented significant decreases in FAS and PAE in the 1990s. Clinic data helped guide public health policies. Conclusions: Both States demonstrated the feasibility and value of establishing statewide interdisciplinary FASD diagnostic clinical networks using the FASD 4-Digit-Code. Legislative support, centralized data collection, and use of a single, evidence-based FASD diagnostic system have been key to the long-term, ongoing success of these two diagnostic networks.