London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Greenwich 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]

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138
area and, of these, 6,172 or 57.5% were forwarded from "approved"
places.
Detailed analyses of legally induced abortions carried out in
respect of Greenwich residents during the current year showed an
advance of 30.7% to a total of 762 of whom 324 (42.5%) were
single women. Of the total, some 142 (18.6%) were under 20
years of age of whom 11 were actually under 16.
The calculated abortion rate for Greenwich of 18.5 per 1,000
women between the ages of 15 and 44 is an increase of 5.7 over
that for 1970. Of the Borough's total of 762 abortions, 502 were
carried out at N.H.S. hospitals, 488 actually taking place within
the S.E. Metropolitan Regional Hospital area.
Congenital Malformations
Voluntary notification of congenital malformations observed in
the newborn continued during the year for it is recognised that
only by early notification will the aetiologies of these abnormalities
be revealed and perhaps, in due course, prevented. Such
children are afforded the opportunity to develop to their fullest
possible potential while parents receive advice, support, counselling
and, where necessary, material assistance.
A total of 64 live and stillborn babies with congenital malformations
was recorded during the year, an increase of 28% over
the 1970 figure.
The following tables give information regarding malformations
notified to the department during 1971 compared with those for
the previous year and for England and Wales.

Congenital Malformations (Numbers Notified According to Site)

SiteNo. Notified 1971Rates per 1,000 Total Notified Births
GreenwichEngland & Wales 1971
19711970
ALL BABIES7624.0619.6718.20
Central Nervous System216.651.874.26
Eye0.13
Ear20.630.620.50
Cleft lip and/or palate61.901.561.34
Intestines1.250.67
Cardiovascular system30.950.620.90
External genitals92.852.191.43
Limbs278.556.246.56
Chromosomes30.951.560.80

NOTE:—This table indicates the number of malformations NOT the
number of children.