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CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES
During the year 128 (compared with 83 in 1970) children were notified by Doctors and
Midwives in charge of confinements. Some of the children showed more than one congenital
abnormality (see table).
A return of the notified abnormalities are made every month to the Director and Registrar
General — Office of Population Censuses and Surveys.
A steady fall of congenital abnormalities affecting the central nervous system can be
observed. This is very gratifying as survivors would be severely handicapped throughout life.
Eye, ear, alimentary system, heart and circulation show a steady rate throughout the years.
Certain malformations, however, show a rise in numbers and further scrutiny is indicated;
those affecting limbs have risen from 31 in 1969 to 38 in 1971. When these figures are analysed
it is found that the main increase has taken place in such deformations as talipes and dislocation
of the hip. Both conditions are curable if detected early during infancy. In the group containing
abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system we find a rise from 2 to 13. This is mainly due
to minor defects, e.g., wider sutures, varying size of fontanelles of the skull.
Both rises can be traced to more detailed reporting of minor abnormalities since the
introduction of the "Short Index of Congenital Malformation" issued by the Office of Population
Census and Surveys, which formed the basis of reporting this year. Most of these abnormalities
do not give rise to any symptoms as the child grows up.
These national figures may in due course provide valuable evidence for hitherto undetected
hereditary, environmental, geographical or seasonal factors which may influence all development
of congenital abnormalities. This it is hoped will enable us to establish the cause and diminish
the occurrence.
A special blood test (Guthrie Test) is now carried out by midwives during the first ten
days of life on every child born in this borough to detect phenylketonuria. This was previously
the cause of severe subnormality in otherwise physically normal children and adults and often
led to lifelong need for institutional care.
There are three children in this Borough who were detected in 1968, 1969 and 1970.
All three are on special diets and are reported to be making good progress as regarding physical
and mental development.
No case was detected this year.
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