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Counting Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in A ustralia: The evidence and the challenges
Author(s) -
Burns Lucy,
Breen Courtney,
Bower Carol,
O' Leary Colleen,
Elliott Elizabeth Jane
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.12047
Subject(s) - prenatal alcohol exposure , fetal alcohol syndrome , medicine , fetal alcohol spectrum disorder , pregnancy , environmental health , indigenous , socioeconomic status , prevalence , demography , psychiatry , population , ecology , genetics , sociology , biology
Issues. Alcohol exposure in utero is associated with a range of adverse outcomes in pregnancy and can cause long‐term disability. F etal alcohol spectrum disorder ( FASD ) is an umbrella term to describe a range of effects from prenatal alcohol exposure including fetal alcohol syndrome ( FAS ). Determining the prevalence of FASD is challenging. Approach. This narrative review collates information on the prevalence of FASD in A ustralia and documents the various methods used for attaining estimates and the limitations of the available data. Key Findings. Birth prevalence of FASD is most commonly measured through clinic‐based studies, passive surveillance systems and active case ascertainment. Alcohol use in pregnancy and FAS in A ustralia is predominantly monitored through passive surveillance systems and under‐ascertainment of cases is likely. State‐ and territory‐based studies have reported birth prevalence rates of FAS of between 0.01 and 0.68 per 1000 live births. Prevalence rates of FASD have not been estimated in A ustralia. As reflected in the international data, A ustralian studies have found higher rates of FAS among some Indigenous communities. This likely reflects patterns of alcohol use and other socioeconomic risk factors. Implications. Under‐recognition of FASD reflects incomplete and inconsistent data collections recording alcohol use in pregnancy, lack of awareness among health professionals and a lack of diagnostic and support services. Conclusion. Accurate measurement of FASD prevalence is crucial to inform policy, resource and service development in the areas of health, education, justice and community. There is a need for consensus on the collection and best use of data. [Burns L, Breen C, Bower C, O' Leary C, Elliott EJ. Counting fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Australia: the evidence and the challenges. Drug Alcohol Rev 2013;32:461–467]