Authors:
Watkins R, Elliott E, Halliday J, O'Leary C, D'Antoine H, Russell E, Hayes L, Peadon E, Wilkins A, Jones H, McKenzie A, Miers S, Burns L, Mutch R, Payne J, Fitzpatrick J, Carter M, Latimer J, Bower C
Authors notes:
BMC Pediatrics. 2013;13(1):13
Keywords:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD, case detection, treatment, screening
Abstract:
There is little reliable information on the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in Australia and no coordinated national approach to facilitate case detection.
The aim of this study was to identify health professionals' perceptions about screening for FASD in Australia.
Of the panel members surveyed, 95 (73%) responded to the questions on screening in the first survey round and, of these, 81 (85%) responded to the second round.
Following two rounds there was consensus agreement on the need for targeted screening at birth (76%) and in childhood (84%).
Participants did not reach consensus agreement on the need for universal screening at birth (55%) or in childhood (40%).
Support for targeted screening was linked to perceived constraints on service provision and the need to examine the performance, costs and benefits of screening.
For targeted screening of high risk groups, we found highest agreement for siblings of known cases of FASD (96%) and children of mothers attending alcohol treatment services (93%).
Participants agreed that screening for FASD primarily requires assessment of prenatal alcohol exposure at birth (86%) and in childhood (88%), and that a checklist is needed to identify the components of screening and criteria for referral at birth (84%) and in childhood (90%).
There is an agreed need for targeted but not universal screening for FASD in Australia, and sufficient consensus among health professionals to warrant development and evaluation of standardised methods for targeted screening and referral in the Australian context.
Participants emphasised the need for locally-appropriate, evidence-based approaches to facilitate case detection, and the importance of ensuring that screening and referral programs are supported by adequate diagnostic and management capacity.