Harris, K R; Bucens, I K

Author(s)

Harris, K R

Bucens, I K

Abstract

To establish the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the Top End of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, in both the indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable disease that is a major cause of intellectual handicap worldwide. The prevalence of FAS in the NT, and in Australia as a whole, is unknown. Cases were identified through retrospective review of medical records and outpatient letters of children seen by Royal Darwin Hospital paediatric staff. Cases were also identified by tracing potentially affected siblings, or incidentally during clinical work. All children were born between 1990 and 2000, and lived in the Top End of the NT. Seventeen children were identified with definite FAS. Twenty-six children with partial FAS or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) were also identified. The prevalence of FAS in the Top End of the NT was calculated to be 0.68 per 1000 live births. The prevalence might be as high as 1.7 per 1000 live births, if cases identified as partial FAS or ARND because of insufficient records, were assumed to have full FAS. In indigenous children, the corresponding prevalence was calculated to be between 1.87 and 4.7 per 1000 live births. The difference between indigenous and non-indigenous rates of FAS was significant (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of FAS in indigenous children of the Top End of the NT is comparable to the high rates in indigenous populations worldwide.

Affiliation

Paediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. katrinarharris@hotmail.com.

Citation

Journal of paediatrics and child health 2003 Sep-Oct; 39(7): 528-33

ISSN

1034-4810

Pubmed ID

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12969208/?otool=iaurydwlib

Link

https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5853

MESH subject

Child

Child, Preschool

Female

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Humans

Male

Northern Territory

Pregnancy

Prevalence

Retrospective Studies

Time Factors

Oceanic Ancestry Group

Title

Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

Type of document

Journal Article

Entity Type

Publication

Author(s)	Harris, K R Bucens, I K
Abstract	To establish the prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the Top End of the Northern Territory (NT), Australia, in both the indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable disease that is a major cause of intellectual handicap worldwide. The prevalence of FAS in the NT, and in Australia as a whole, is unknown. Cases were identified through retrospective review of medical records and outpatient letters of children seen by Royal Darwin Hospital paediatric staff. Cases were also identified by tracing potentially affected siblings, or incidentally during clinical work. All children were born between 1990 and 2000, and lived in the Top End of the NT. Seventeen children were identified with definite FAS. Twenty-six children with partial FAS or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND) were also identified. The prevalence of FAS in the Top End of the NT was calculated to be 0.68 per 1000 live births. The prevalence might be as high as 1.7 per 1000 live births, if cases identified as partial FAS or ARND because of insufficient records, were assumed to have full FAS. In indigenous children, the corresponding prevalence was calculated to be between 1.87 and 4.7 per 1000 live births. The difference between indigenous and non-indigenous rates of FAS was significant (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of FAS in indigenous children of the Top End of the NT is comparable to the high rates in indigenous populations worldwide.
Affiliation	Paediatric Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. katrinarharris@hotmail.com.
Citation	Journal of paediatrics and child health 2003 Sep-Oct; 39(7): 528-33
ISSN	1034-4810
Pubmed ID	https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12969208/?otool=iaurydwlib
Link	https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5853
MESH subject	Child Child, Preschool Female Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Humans Male Northern Territory Pregnancy Prevalence Retrospective Studies Time Factors Oceanic Ancestry Group
Title	Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Type of document	Journal Article
Entity Type	Publication

Prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the Top End of the Northern Territory.

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