Suicidality in adolescents and adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Dear Editor: Suicide is the ninth leading cause of death in the US and the third leading cause for Americans aged 15 to 24 years (1). In Canada, suicide rates are higher (2). Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are common and preventable developmental disabilities with a prevalence of 1 in 100 (3). Previous reports suggest that individuals with FASD are at risk for suicide (4,5). An individual with a typical clinical profile for FASD will evidence several risk factors for suicide (for example, impulsivity, a comorbid mood disorder, and substance abuse problems) and should be monitored closely, irrespective of intellectual ability.