Fetal alcohol syndrome: a prospective national surveillance study

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of cases of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) seen by Australian paediatricians. Method: Active, national case-finding using the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit. Monthly reporting of incident cases aged <15 years by paediatricians between January 2001 and December 2004. Results: Over 1150 paediatricians submitted reports each month to the APSU. Of 169 reported cases, 92 fulfilled the study criteria for FAS. There was a significant increase in the number of children reported each year from 2001 to 2004. Of 92 children, 53.3% were male, 35.7% were preterm (<37w gestation), and 64.6% were of low birth weight (