Publications

This 25-year study into the baseline rate of microcephaly in Australia confirmed an important link with FASD. It was reported in the Western Australian population that there was a microcephaly prevalence of 1 in 1830 births and the most frequent cause was FASD, particularly in Aboriginal births.

This study set out to describe the prevalence (how many) and characteristics of microcephaly in a geographically defined Australian population. The authors identified a high proportion of cases without known cause, highlighting the need for clinicians to carefully investigate all possibilities, including emerging infections. FASD is an important cause of microcephaly in the Aboriginal population.

This study examined the relationship between maternal alcohol use disorder and child school attendance in Western Australia. Maternal alcohol use disorder was significantly associated with poor attendance for both non-Indigenous and Indigenous children. However, there was no significant difference between timing of diagnosis and poor school attendance.

The first diagnostic centre for FASD in Australia was set up in 2012 involving a range of health professionals providing a multi-disciplinary service. This article outlines the experience of diagnosis from the perspectives of caregivers of children with FASD.

The aim of the current study was to report on the diagnostic profile of a group of children who attended the service, to document the extent to which there were comorbid diagnoses and to provide information on the neurocognitive functioning of the children. The current study demonstrates that with the relevant training and expertise, assessment and diagnosis of FASD can be embedded within the existing health services available in Australia.

This study examined the frequency, correlates and outcomes of alcohol use during breastfeeding. Data were from an Australian cohort study. Results showed alcohol use was reported by 60.7% and 69.6% of breastfeeding women at 8 weeks and 12 months postpartum, respectively. Breastfeeding women who consumed alcohol were more likely to be born in Australia or another English-speaking country, be tertiary educated and have higher household incomes. Most drank at low levels (<=14 standard drinks per week, <3 per occasion) and employed strategies (e.g. timing of alcohol use) to minimise alcohol passed onto infants via breastmilk. The authors concluded that low level drinking during breastfeeding is not linked with shorter breastfeeding duration or adverse outcomes in infants up to 12 months of age.