Urgent action needed to stop Indigenous mothers drinking: doctor
The Kimberley's senior paediatrician says an urgent study is needed to establish the number of children affected by prenatal alcohol disorders.
Dr John Boulton says he works with other doctors, nurses and Aboriginal health workers who believe one in every three children in Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing are affected by the disease Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
It is an umbrella term used to describe the range of disabilities associated with prenatal exposure to alcohol.
Foetal alcohol syndrome - which can cause facial abnormalities and learning difficulties - is the most readily recognised disease.
Dr Boulton says urgent action must be taken to stop Indigenous mothers drinking during their pregnancies.
"The high level of alcohol abuse in Indigenous communities is a public health tragedy," he said.
He says the inter-generational effects of alcohol abuse will continue if nothing is done.