According to a commentary, foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a highly prevalent disorder (at least as common as autism spectrum disorders), is the leading identifiable cause of intellectual disability, and results in very high costs to society. It notes that both prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD represent large, but potentially preventable, causes of mortality and disability. It suggests that prevention efforts should focus on identification of alcohol use before and during pregnancy. Identification of FASD in young children has the additional benefit of identifying a woman who is at more than 70% risk to have another affected child if she continues to drink during subsequent pregnancies. Anticipatory guidance should also emphasise prevention and early recognition of secondary disabilities in FASD (i.e. school failure, substance abuse, multiple foster home placements, peer exploitation, incarceration, and premature death).