Table 2 Maternal and family characteristics, exposure to alcohol and other substances in utero1 and use of specialist medical and other services2 in 92 children with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
Cases of FAS,n (%)
Maternal and family characteristics
    Mother’s age, mean (SD) years, n = 7229.7 (5.95)
    Mother born in Australia90 (97.8)
    Mother Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander60 (65.2)
Child’s place of residence
    With biological parents37 (40.2)
    With relatives19 (20.7)
    In adoptive/foster care35 (38.0)
Sibling with FAS (n = 49)25 (51.0)
Exposure to alcohol and other substances
    Known alcohol exposure in utero (box 1)90 (97.8)
        High risk85 (94.4)
        Some risk5 (5.4)
        Unknown risk2 (2.2)
    Exposure to ⩾1 drugs in addition to alcohol72 (78.3)
        Nicotine62 (67.4)
        Marijuana23 (25)
        Heroin4 (4.3)
        Amphetamines4 (4.4)
        Cocaine3 (3.3)
        Other*6 (6.6)
Service usage
    Specialist medical services
        Specialist paediatric74 (80.4)
        General paediatric66 (71.7)
        Child development47 (51.1)
        Genetic17 (18.5)
        Psychological medicine12 (13.0)
        Neonatal5 (5.4)
        Community child health2 (2.2)
    Other services used
        Department of Community Services (including child62 (67.4)
        protection)
        Remedial education31 (33.7)
        Respite care8 (8.7)
        Other†6 (6.5)

  • *Includes benzodiazepines, naltrexone, epilim, morphine, pethidine, labetolol, nortriptyline, largactil, solvents and methadone.

  • †Early intervention, speech therapy, occupational therapy, lactation consultant, ENT surgeon and Aboriginal Medical Service.