Publications

Prenatal alcohol exposure can contribute to long term adverse health outcomes. Development of the skeletal system begins at the early embryonic stage and continues into early adulthood but the effect of prenatal alcohol exposure on skeletal growth is relatively unexplored in a clinical population. This study examines bone, fat, and muscle accrual in children and adolescents diagnosed with, or at risk of, FASDs (FASDs). By adolescence, those with FASD were shorter and had lower areal bone mineral density and lean tissue mass than typically developing peers. Overall, adolescents diagnosed with FASDs had greater odds of impairments to bone and body composition.

This study investigates where pregnant women obtain information about alcohol use in pregnancy and the relationship between the information source used and women's demographic characteristics and alcohol use.

The beverage alcohol industry (manufacture, marketing, distribution, and retail) is often seen as playing a role in FASD prevention strategies such as health warning labels. This paper explores the nature of the relationship between the industry and prevention programming. The study considers the place of alcohol in society; the prevalence, social and economic costs of FASD; the ethical notion of alcohol-related harm and then move onto the question of public health partnerships with the industry including the potential conflicts of interests and ethical challenges in such partnerships. Two case studies drawn from Canadian, Australian and New Zealand contexts are presented.

Recognition of FASD within Australia has continued to grow, particularly with the development of the Australian Diagnostic Guide, yet the availability of FASD-specific services continues to be limited. This paper presents the views and experiences of the six sites across Australia involved indeveloping a FASD Model of Care in their local area.

Neurodevelopmental impairments resulting from FASD can increase the likelihood of justice system involvement. This study compared offence characteristics in young people with FASD to demographically matched controls in Western Australia, uncovering relationships between personal attributes and offence characteristics. After controlling for demographic factors, regression analyses showed FASD participants were more likely than controls to be charged with reckless driving, breach of bail/community orders, property damage, and disorderly behaviour. These findings suggest justice-involved individuals with FASD have unique offending profiles, having implications for sentencing, diversionary/crime prevention programs and interventions.

This comprehensive clinical paediatric assessment examines 103 young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia (WA) and participating in the first FASD (FASD) prevalence study. The findings of multiple and serious impairments and health issues, through completion of comprehensive clinical paediatric and multidisciplinary health and neuro-developmental assessments for this study, support their routine provision to all young people on entry to systems of juvenile justice.