This short dvd presentation addresses the thorny issues of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). It is very likely that FASD, in particular, is underdiagnosed in Australia and in most countries outside North America.1 The DVD aims to raise awareness of the conditions by providing practical, clear, preventive information.

Three scenarios are used to demonstrate that any level of maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy may cause irreversible damage to the fetus, producing children with a wide spectrum of physical and neurodevelopmental problems. One studies a child of a clearly alcoholic mother; another involves a low to moderately drinking mother and her adult son with FASD. Half of the presentation illustrates the broader parallel problems accompanying those of alcohol in pregnancy in various Indigenous communities, featuring a persuasive field worker fully discussing the issues with groups of adults and children, male and female.

Contrasting with the lack of clear policies and guidance statements in Australia, recently discussed in the MJA,2 here is a very clear message that alcohol intake should be ceased before and during pregnancy.

If one accepts that the aim of this presentation is a preventive one, those statements which are less sound can be overlooked. For example, there is no evidence that paternal alcoholism contributes to FAS/FASD.

For the sake of clarity, the presenters do not enter into discussion of FAS/FASD-associated issues: quantitation, type of maternal alcohol intake or threshold toxicity, the very important social, nutritional and other lifestyle associations, certain diagnostic difficulties with non-pathognomonic physical and psychological profiles, and the risk of stigmatisation. There is evidence that frequently those mothers who are at greatest risk are likely to be less influenced by the message of alcohol abstinence.

Despite these reservations, this DVD presentation could be a useful tool for educational group discussion or display in appropriate waiting rooms.