Publications

Policy implementation learnings from the introduction of a mandatory alcohol pregnancy warning label

Policy makers lack guidance on effective ways to introduce alcohol warnings, making it important to document the experiences of early adopter countries. Aims of this study were to (i) assess uptake of a mandated pregnancy warning label in Australia, (ii) identify the placement of the warning on products (i.e. front, back, side, top, or bottom), and (iii) compare the results for (i) and (ii) between 2023 and 2024 to provide insights into industry willingness to engage with the policy.

Publishing Date:

14 January, 2026
Journal Name:

Health Promotion International
Authors:

Simone Pettigrew, Tazman Davies, Asad Yusoff, Bella Sträuli, Paula O’Brien, Michelle I Jongenelis, Tim Stockwell, Alexandra Jones, Julia Stafford, Aimee Brownbill, Fraser Taylor, Jacqueline Bowden

Application of a Minimum Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Threshold for Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review

The Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2025) introduce a minimum PAE threshold, unlike the 2016 Guide to FASD Diagnosis, which allowed for diagnosis at any exposure level. This retrospective case review evaluates whether applying the minimum PAE threshold would alter diagnostic outcomes for individuals previously assessed for FASD at a specialist neurodevelopmental clinic in Queensland.

Publishing Date:

27 November, 2025
Journal Name:

Drug and Alcohol Review, Wiley Online
Authors:

Eleanor Robinson, Karen Liddle, Khari Garavelis, Chelsea Vanderpeet, Jennifer McAuliffe, Natasha Reid

Out-of-Home Care in Central Australia—A Retrospective Audit of Health Needs and Timeliness of Assessment Compared to the National Clinical Assessment Framework

The aim of this study is to evaluate the health and developmental concerns for children in out-of-home care in Central Australia and assess whether they received timely and comprehensive paediatric health assessments.

Publishing Date:

17 November, 2025
Journal Name:

Wiley Online Library
Authors:

Jade Woon, Annie Kilpatrick, Karen McLean

Renal and cardiovascular function in children with FASD: Potential links to food approach and avoidance behaviors

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is associated with a range of developmental, behavioral, and physical impairments. While much research to date has focused on developmental and behavioral aspects of FASD, there is growing evidence that children with FASD may experience alterations in renal and cardiovascular function. By also comparing eating behaviors between children with FASD and typically developing children, this may provide some clues to the underlying causes of these physiological changes.

Publishing Date:

16 November, 2025
Journal Name:

Wiley Online Library
Authors:

Natasha Reid, Jayden Logan, Khari Garavelis, Jinyang Yang, Nicole Hayes, Chelsea Vanderpeet, Karen Liddle, Sophia Young, Maree Maloney, Emily Sullivan, Karen Moritz, Lisa Akison

Creating healing-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive services: Transforming health professional practice through the Australian fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) Indigenous Framework

This study explored what non-Aboriginal health professionals need to know, be and do to deliver healing-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive PAE and FASD knowledge and support to Aboriginal peoples. The findings were interpreted through the Australian FASD Indigenous Framework, to deepen understanding and guide practice transformation.

Publishing Date:

8 November, 2025
Journal Name:

The Lowitja Journal
Authors:

Nicole Hewlett (Palawa), Vivian Lyall (Australian Settler, English/Scandinavian ancestry), Lorian Hayes (Iningai/Bidjara), Lindsay Wolfson (Settler in Canada with Polish/Russian ancestry), Robyn Williams (Noongar), Deborah Askew (New Zealand Pakeha), Karen Scofield (Margany), Natasha Reid (Settler in Australia with Irish/English ancestry)

A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of Sublingual Melatonin for Sleep Onset Insomnia in Children With Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) present with significant sleep disturbance. This pilot trial aimed to examine the feasibility of conducting a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) in this population and the potential effectiveness of melatonin to treat onset insomnia.

Publishing Date:

22 October, 2025
Journal Name:

Wiley Online Library
Authors:

Ned Chandler-Mather, Doug Shelton, Caroline Donovan, Haydn Till, Bronwyn M. Theroux, Sharon Dawe