The Medical journal of Australia
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Six children affected by the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are described. Their ages vary from newborn to 15 years. ⋯ Four have additional congenital anomalies, and at least four are mentally retarded. These children are described to increase awareness of the FAS in Australia, whose population has a high and changing pattern of alcohol consumption.
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The history, rationale and implementation of legislation for compulsory blood alcohol tests on adult road crash casualties presenting at Victorian hospitals are reviewed. Drinking drivers admitted to casualty departments can now be identified and prosecuted; doctors can obtain blood alcohol test results on road crash casualties without threat of litigation; drinking drivers with alcohol problems may be directed to appropriate re-education or rehabilitation programmes; the opportunity also exists for treatment of non-driver casualties with alcohol problems. ⋯ Non-drivers had a slightly lower incidence of elevated alcohol concentrations. The implementation of further drink-driving countermeasures, expansion of services for the management of alcohol problems, and development of a national policy directed at prevention of alcohol abuse are recommended.