Background/aims: Youth with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) are under-recognised in the justice system, warranting improved identification. This study aimed to compare neuropsychological profiles of adolescents, with and without PAE and identify neuropsychological tasks predictive of PAE-group membership. It was hypothesised that participants with PAE would score significantly lower on neuropsychological tests.
Methods: Participants included 85 young people sentenced to detention (mean 15.7 years, 78 males), 46 with PAE. A one-way-multivariate analysis of variance tested differences in neuropsychological functioning between PAE/No-PAE groups, while logistic regression determined tests predictive of PAE.
Results: No statistically significant difference in test scores emerged between groups, and regression was not indicative of any models predictive of PAE-group membership. Neuropsychological profiles were characterised by both strengths and weaknesses, with lower verbal and mathematical skills.
Conclusion(s): While no statistically significant differences were found between the groups, the results provided a unique insight into the neurocognitive profile of Australian youth in detention. Routine screening assessments were recommended for young people sentenced to detention.
Keywords: FAS; FASD, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Foetal alcohol syndrome; PAE, prenatal alcohol exposure; justice; paediatric neuropsychological assessment; youth detention.
© 2024 The Authors. Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.