By the Numbers: 17 November 2025
1.9 Million
The number of children who receive care in the Military Health System, according to an article in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research --Diagnosing prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol syndrome in military-connected children: Insights from US military data claims, 2016–2023.
One thousand four hundred seventy six unique children had any diagnosis between 2016 and 2023 (PAE (Prenatal Alcohol Exposure) only: 301; FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) only: 1061; both: 114). Period prevalence was 0.42 cases per 1000 children. Cumulative incidence was 0.34 cases per 1000 children for 2017–2023 using 2016 as a 1-year washout. Average age at any diagnosis was 8.3 years. Factors associated with increased likelihood of diagnosis were male sex; being in guardianship; sponsor of senior officer rank; and sponsor affiliated with the Air Force or Other Service branch. Factors associated with decreased likelihood of diagnosis included Black or Other race; being a stepchild; sponsor of junior enlisted or junior officer rank; and sponsor in the Marine Corps.
1.9 Million
The number of children who receive care in the Military Health System, according to an article in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research --Diagnosing prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol syndrome in military-connected children: Insights from US military data claims, 2016–2023.
One thousand four hundred seventy six unique children had any diagnosis between 2016 and 2023 (PAE (Prenatal Alcohol Exposure) only: 301; FAS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) only: 1061; both: 114). Period prevalence was 0.42 cases per 1000 children. Cumulative incidence was 0.34 cases per 1000 children for 2017–2023 using 2016 as a 1-year washout. Average age at any diagnosis was 8.3 years. Factors associated with increased likelihood of diagnosis were male sex; being in guardianship; sponsor of senior officer rank; and sponsor affiliated with the Air Force or Other Service branch. Factors associated with decreased likelihood of diagnosis included Black or Other race; being a stepchild; sponsor of junior enlisted or junior officer rank; and sponsor in the Marine Corps.