View report page

A booklet produced by the department setsout detai]s of the servicesavai 1 ab]e for
the care of handicapped children and young persons provided by the Council, the Inner
London Education Authority and by other statutory and voluntary bodies.
PHENYLKETONURIA
Tests for phenylketonuria are carried out by means of the Guthrie method on all
babies. Co-operation is readily given by the hospitals in the borough having maternity
wards, both in regard to taking the specimens and the pathological examinations.
Arrangements are made with regard to domiciliary births by attending midwives and
for health visitors to deal with other babies found not to have been tested.
PREMATURE BABIES
Any child weighing 5$lbs. (2,500 grammes) or less when born is regarded as
premature, and necessary advice and assistance is afforded to mothers with premature
bab ies.
Statistics relating to premature births occurring during the year will be found
on page 83.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN
Unaccompanied school children placed by the Inner London Education Authority on
recuperative holidays numbered 317, and 16 schood children accompanied by their parents
were placed during the year.
RESIDENTIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR CHILDREN IN CARE
The Health Department's visiting medical officers regularly attend at the soc ia1
Services Department's residential establishments to examine the children, treat any
cases ofi11ness occurring and advise on medical aspects of child welfare, hygiene and
the prevention of infection. The department is also responsible for the provision of
relief nursing staff as required at these establishments.
SURVEYS
The department has taken part in anumber of surveys during the year in associat ion
with various research studies being carried out by the fol1 owing bodies/authorities:-
Department of Health and Social Security National Surveillance of
Congenital Rubella Defects
Department of Social Medicine, Oxford
University: Survey of Childhood Cancers
Greater London Council Research and
Intelligence Unit Spina Bifida.
Medical Research Council Tower Hamlets Coronary Project
Medical Research Council Measles.
Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and
Development
British Births Survey Child Study
St. Pancras Coroner Foundation Study of Infant Deaths
-33-