This section includes contributions by Telethon Institute for Child Health Research staff in collaboration with other researchers towards alcohol and pregnancy/FASD research.
Development of the WA Child and Youth Health Network FASD Model of Care Working Group (2008-2010)
Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD) Working Party on FASD (2006-2009)
NHMRC Review of Australian Alcohol Guidelines Working Committee (2006-2009)
Development of the WA Child and Youth Health Network FASD Model of Care Working Group (2008-2010)
Contribution: Three researchers from the Alcohol and Pregnancy research program were selected to participate on the WA Child and Youth Health Network FASD Model of Care Working Group. The researchers were involved in contributing to and/or writing a number of the chapters of the document including prevention, epidemiology, diagnosis, screening and early detection and monitoring and evaluation.
Practical value: The FASD Model of Care provides a wide range of information that will educate and enable health professionals to deal with children presenting with a FASD including early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. The document prioritises prevention strategies recognizing that FASD are potentially preventable and that there is no cure. It also recognizes the importance of supporting and treating mothers who are dependent on alcohol and provides guidelines to enable health professionals to manage their treatment. It is the first comprehensive document on FASD for health professionals in Australia.
Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs (IGCD) Working Party on FASD (2006-2009)
Contribution: Three members of the FASD Steering Group were members of the Working Party (Elliott (Deputy Chair and Editor of Monograph), Bower and Burns (Editor of Monograph)) that was convened by the Ministerial Council on Drugs Strategy. The Working Party initiated and supported research into FASD, including examination of the economic impact of FASD and services and treatment for FASD. It compiled a log of FASD-related activities in Australia. The Working Party convened a multi-disciplinary National Conference on FASD, co-sponsored by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) and Drug and Alcohol Services South Australia (DASSA) and wrote and edited a Monograph on FASD in Australia to be published by DoHA. One of the recommendations of this report was the development of a nationally agreed screening and diagnostic tool.
Practical value: This Working Party was highly productive in promoting research and education and allowing national collaboration between individuals working with FASD.
NHMRC Review of Australian Alcohol Guidelines Working Committee (2006-2009)
Professor Elliott was a member of the working committee that reviewed and revised the 2001 National Health and Medical Research Council Australian alcohol guidelines with respect to alcohol use during pregnancy. Members of the FASD Project Steering Group provided feedback on the guidelines during a process of community consultation.
Practical value: Produced the document NHMRC Australian Guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol, Commonwealth of Australia 2009. ISBN 1864963743.