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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a leading cause of neurodevelopmental disability globally. International organizations have highlighted an urgent need for improved prevention, diagnosis, and support. However, the evidence base needed to inform this is thought to be limited. We conducted two complementary reviews to (i) describe trends in the volume and characteristics of original FASD research articles (Review 1) and (ii) compare the volume of published research on FASD to that of other neurodevelopmental disorders (Review 2). In Review 1, we systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and PsycInfo for original studies with FASD terms in the title, published between 2000 and 2023. We summarised study characteristics including the article topic(s), sample population, country of origin, and publication year using quantitative content analysis and time‐series plots. A total of 854 studies were eligible. Studies showed a relative focus on diagnosis and screening, compared to prevention and intervention. FASD research originated from 31 countries, however most countries (68%) had fewer than 10 articles published over the 23‐year review period. In Review 2, we searched PubMed for records published between 2000 and 2023 with FASD, autism, or attention‐deficit‐hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) terms in the title. We compared the volume of records for these conditions using descriptive statistics and time‐series plots. Of the 64,069 records retrieved, 2% were for FASD, compared to 60% for autism and 38% for ADHD. FASD remains considerably under‐researched. While there has been an increase in the number of original FASD research articles published annually over time, this is much lower than expected compared to publication trends for other neurodevelopmental conditions, and the wider scientific literature. Further research is needed to understand the impact of FASD across the lifespan, to inform evidence‐based policy and support, and to advance progress in strength‐based, stigma‐reducing approaches to FASD research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transformation of regimes in eastern Europe, the continuation of China's Open Door policy and a global trend towards open economies heralds the development of a truly global economy encompassing areas previously outside the orbit of transnational capital. An example of regionalism as a response to global political economic transformation is the Growth Triangle (GT) linking Singapore with the neighboring subnational economies of Johor in Malaysia and Riau in Indonesia. The GT represents a watershed for economic cooperation in ASEAN, which has been hindered by the competitive nature of regional economies and distrust of Singapore's economic middleman role. However, attitudes to economic cooperation have mellowed since 1985, when a fall in commodity prices and international economic downturn resulted in a regional recession which prompted Malaysia and Indonesia to liberalize investment regulations, associated with socio-cultural and nationalist concerns. An emphasis on foreign direct investment and export-oriented industrialization by Malaysia and Indonesia complemented Singapore's planned relocation of labor-intensive operations and the ANICs' need for cheap offshore production locations.