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Congenital malformations among Greenwich children increased
by 20.6% to 76 during 1971, the incidence rate rising from 19.67
to 24.06 per 1,000 notified births. The increase was due mainly
to the birth of more children with defects of the central nervous
system such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, the
reasons for which are obscure. If continued, this would give
cause for anxiety since although these children receive the optimum
medical, educational and social care, only a relatively
small proportion are able to live normal lives. For example, a
recent survey has indicated that only one third of children with
hydrocephalus, both treated and those not requiring surgical
intervention, developed normal levels of intelligence. The rate
for notified malformations of the central nervous system rose
from 1.87 in 1970 to the present figure of 6.65.
Limb Deformities
A slight increase in notified limb deformities also occured
during the current year, the rate rising from 6.24 to 8.55 per
1,000 total notified births. Congenital dislocation of the hip and
talipes were the main deformities which can usually be completely
cured especially when given expert treatment from birth.
Such treatment is immediately available to all babies born in this
country. Every infant attending the Child Health Clinics is examined
by the doctor for congenital dislocation of the hip which,
unlike talipes, is not always immediately recognised on neo-natal
examination but, when detected and treated at an early age,
causes no locomotor problems when the child begins to crawl and
walk.
Anencephaly—Of all the malformations recorded, most research
has been carried out in respect of anencephaly perhaps