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Children under 5 "at risk" 2,256
Children under 5 handicapped 220
Young persons aged 5-21 years handicapped 2,577
Children non-resident but attending
schools in the borough 233
The Principal Medical Officer keeps the register under constant review. Further
details relating to the register will be found on page 54.
A booklet produced by the department sets out details of the services available 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 BAB IES
Any child weighing 5½lbs (2,500 grammes) or less when born is regarded as premature,
and necessary advice and assistance is afforded to mothers with premature babies.
Statistics relating to premature births occurring during the year will be found on
page 62.
RECUPERATIVE HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN
Unaccompanied school children placed by the Inner London Education Authority on
recuperative holidays numbered 394 and 14 schoolchi1dren 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 Social
Services Department's residential establishments to examine the children, treat any cases
of illness 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 a number of surveys during the year in association with
various research studies being carried out by the following bodies/authorities:-
Department of Health and Social Security National Surveillance of Congenital
Rubella Defects
Department of Social Medicine, Survey of Childhood Cancers
Oxford University
Greater London Council Research and Spina Bifida
Intel 1igence Unit
Medical Research Council Measles
British Births Survey Child study
St. Pancras Coroner Foundation Study of Infant Deaths
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