New web resource for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
The federal government has funded a new web resource developed by the University of Sydney to assist the prevention and response to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
Known as the , the web resource is a comprehensive one-stop shop loaded with materials, resources, directories and training and support networks to assist parents, carers, health professionals, researchers and policy makers.
The website鈥檚 launch comes at a time when news and research reports reveal at some point .
Recent news reports also note that , with some advising against a sip and others saying that one glass once a week or on a special occasion won't hurt
"We have a very tolerant attitude to alcohol use in Australia, including at risky levels, and that includes in pregnant women," says who was funded to develop the National FASD Hub.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a diagnostic term for severe neurodevelopmental impairments resulting from brain damage caused by alcohol exposure before birth.
The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure are life-long and may not be seen at birth.
鈥淭he effects of prenatal alcohol exposure are life-long and may not be seen at birth. Problems include brain damage leading to delayed development, social, behavioural and learning problems,鈥� says Professor Elliott.
鈥淭hese can lead to secondary outcomes such as poor school performance, unemployment, substance abuse, mental health problems and early engagement with the justice system.鈥�
鈥淎ustralian health professionals have been slow to diagnose FASD. Often, they don鈥檛 ask about alcohol use in pregnancy and don鈥檛 know how to diagnose FASD, or where to refer patients.
鈥淐hildren with FASD have a range of problems with learning, development and behaviour and do best with early diagnosis and treatment.
鈥淯p to 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned so exposure to alcohol is often inadvertent,鈥� said Professor Elliott.
Up to 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned so exposure to alcohol is often inadvertent.
About the
- The Hub provides information for health professionals, parents and carers, other professionals (including for justice, education, child protection and disability services), researchers and policy makers
- It has a directory of FASD-informed health professionals in Australia and a comprehensive listing of past and present Australian research projects, publication and resources.
- It has information on the prevention, assessment, management and diagnosis of FASD
- Development of the Hub was led by the University of Sydney and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research