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Young children with impaired hearing who required a hearing environment
and children who failed to acquire speech, because their parents were deaf or
because of language difficulties in the home, were, on the recommendation of the
otologist permitted to attend day nurseries for three hour sessions without charge.
Phenylketonuria
Phenylketonuria is a rare inborn metabolic disorder in which a baby is born
without one of the essential chemicals that help to break down food for digestion:
this results in one of the ingredients of most foods building up to a high level
in the body which may have a damaging effect on the brain. Screening for the
detection of phenylketonuria using the Guthrie test were carried out routinely
on all young babies; those thought to be at special risk we retested.
Prophylaxis
Protection is offered in child health centres against diphtheria, whooping
cough, tetanus, poliomyelitis and measles, to children below school age. Special
sessions are also held in schools where necessary. In addition B.C.G. vaccination
against tuberculosis of children aged 12 to 13 is carried out in schools.
Vaccination may also be carried out by the family doctor and vaccines are
supplied to general practitioners free of charge by the Council.
Statistical information is set out in Table 7 page 38.
Dental Services
Although there was no marked increase in demand nevertheless the amount
of treatment carried out was greater than the previous year. There were more
fillings and fewer extractions for children under 5. The number of courses completed
was approximately 27% higher. The amount of treatment for expectant
and nursing mothers continued at the very low level at which it has been for
some years past.
Guy's Hospital
The Guy's Dental School Mobile Clinic continued to operate in the Borough
during the year. Children attending Kirkwood and Tuke Junior Training Schools
and those in Special Units at three of the day nurseries were examined and
treated. This most valuable work has been of great importance in the dental
care of children attending these schools and it is intended that it will continue.
During the year also the dental auxiliary visited the hospital schools at Evelina
and Guy's Hospitals and carried out dental health education sessions which
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