ALCOHOL AND

ALCOHOL THE EFFECTS OF

ALCOHOL ON
PREGNANCY FAQ

AND
DEVELOPING BABIES
How Common Is FASD in Australia?

 Alcohol is toxic to the kidneys, heart, lungs The exact percentage of people affected by FASD in

PREGNAC
and especially the brain.
 Alcohol is toxic at any time of pregnancy
and can lead to death shortly after birth.
Australia is unknown. In the United States the
percentage affected is 2-5% of the population and
in Australia it is likely to be similar to that number. 2

Y  There is no safe amount of alcohol that can

be drunk during pregnancy. High levels of
alcohol can lead to Foetal Alcohol
What percentage of mother’s drink during
pregnancy in Australia?

According to the National Drug Strategy Household

Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Survey conducted in 2016. 25% of pregnant women
continued drinking during pregnancy after finding
 The risk of problems in the babies increases out they were pregnant.2
with the amount of alcohol drunk. 1
Parents here are the
What are some other harmful drugs during
risks! pregnancy and what percentage of mothers use
them?
“FASD is entirely Tobacco and illicit substances are harmful to the
By Bowen Xia preventable by drinking no developing baby because they can cross the
placenta and interfere with normal foetal
alcohol during pregnancy” development. According to the National Drug
Strategy Household Survey 1.8% and 11.3% of
women continued using illicit substances and
tobacco, respectively, following knowledge of their  Health professionals can avoid stigmatizing
pregnancy.2 women that drink alcohol during pregnancy
HOW CAN WE TREAT as it can prevent them from seeking help.
FASD SIGNS AND FASD?  Health professions can undergo training

SYMPTOMS that enables the early diagnosis and

treatments for children with undiagnosed
There is no cure for FASD but there are various FASD and mothers at risk of having children
Children with FASD are typically diagnosed from strategies we can use to help children with FASD with FASD.4
these three symptoms:3
 Identify FASD by doing full clinical and Prevention of FASD at the government level
psychological assessments to see the child's
 Enable legislation that makes all
strengths and weaknesses.1
1. Significant problems with learning and consumables have labelling warning against
 Every child with FASD presents in their own
behaviour alcohol during pregnancy.
unique way so it is important to use
 Learning difficulties  Fund advertising campaigns on television,
management strategies that help with their
 Memory problems radio and social networking sites warning
unique issues. An example is using ADHD
 Impulsiveness against alcohol during pregnancy.
medication for FASD children with ADHD.
2. A history of the mother drinking during  Establish and run the FASD Strategic Action
pregnancy
3. Certain facial features which are known to
FASD PREVENTION Plan to improve prevention, diagnosis and
management of FASD.5
occur with FASD
We can prevent FASD through community, health
Diagnosis of FASD requires a diverse team of health professional and government involvement.
professionals including psychologists, paediatricians
and social workers.3 Prevention of FASD at the community level

FASD Facial Features  Raise awareness that ‘No alcohol when

planning a pregnancy and while pregnant
and breastfeeding is the safest option’.
 Community service providers can refer
women to specialised drug and alcohol
services.4
REFERENCES
1. https://bestpractice-bmj-com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au/topics/en-
gb/1141/management-approach

Prevention of FASD at the health professional level 2. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/2016-ndshs-

detailed/contents/table-of-contents

3. https://www.racgp.org.au/clinical-resources/clinical-guidelines/key-
racgp-guidelines/view-all-racgp-guidelines/national-guide/chapter-3-
child-health/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorder
4.https://www.fasdhub.org.au/fasd-information/preventing-
fasd/prevention-strategies/

5.https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/national-fasd-
strategic-action-plan-2018-2028.pdf