The Impact of Alcohol Exposure in Utero: A Case of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Running head: POLICY BRIEF 1
The Impact of Alcohol Exposure in Utero: A Case of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Name
Institutional Affiliation

POLICY BRIEF 2
Issue Cover Sheet
This policy brief aims to present the severity of the overarching problems of prenatal
alcohol exposure (PAE) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), in Victoria,
Australia, and the need for urgent policy action. There has been an increasing prevalence of
PAE and FASD in the recent years, which is demonstrated by various signs including social,
emotional, cognitive and developmental issues among children. However, there is limited
awareness and education regarding the issues in Australia, which has resulted in lack of
timely diagnosis and treatment, stigma within the community, and poor health outcomes
among the public. Some factors that contribute to the high prevalence of PAE and FASD in
Australia and the world include low education levels, low incomes, unhealthy social
relationships and peers who encourage heavy drinking are at risk of prenatal alcohol
exposure. Genetic factors are also a critical determinant of PAE. Recommendations to
address these issues include establishing policies that enhance awareness among healthcare
providers ad the community, and making it mandatory for t-risk populations to undergo
screening, diagnosis and treatment of newborns for FASD and related problems.

POLICY BRIEF 3
Purpose
The aim of this policy brief is to present the challenge of increased alcohol exposure
in utero and the increased prevalence Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Victoria
that has become a major challenge in Victoria that warrants urgent policy action. Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum Disorder represents a wide range of lifelong and preventable disorders
that result from prenatal alcohol exposure (McLean & McDougall, 2014).
A study by Bower et al. (2018) established that 36% of the 99 young individuals
between the ages of 13 and 17 years were diagnosed with FASD in Australia, which was the
highest ever recorded prevalence of FASD globally. In Victoria, the prevalence of FASD is
estimated at 0.01 to 0.03 for every 1000 live births, but the estimation is challenges by lack
of adequate documentation on maternal use of alcohol and passive reporting (Burns, Breen,
Bower, O’ Leary, & Elliott, 2013). Despite the increased prevalence, the strategies that have
been placed by the Australian government to combat the challenge are yet to be effectively
implemented (Townsend, Hammill, & White, 2012). There is need for calls for urgent policy
action to address the increased use of alcohol in pregnancy and enhance better strategies for
documenting and reporting alcohol use and FASD.
Background
Prenatal alcohol exposure has negative physical impacts on children as it impacts
their appearance. Muggli et al. (2017) explained that any level of alcohol exposure,
particularly in the first trimester by the parent affects the craniofacial development of the
foetus. The children of parents exposed to alcohol during pregnancy demonstrated
differences in the mid-face, eyes, lips and nose such as a displaced nose tip, and shortened
nose. Bailey and Sokol (2011) explained that prenatal alcohol exposure results in retarded
growth which is evidenced through dysmorphology of the face, restriction of the intrauterine
growth, and neurodevelopmental problems.