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34
Congenital Malformation
In 1963 the Ministry of Health suggested a voluntary scheme
for "notification of congenital abnormalities apparent at birth,
by family doctors, hospital medical and nursing staff, and
domiciliary midwives. This was introduced in Croydon in February
of that year, and over 30 infants were notified to the department
in the following months.
A more formal scheme covering the shole country was introduced
by the Ministry of Health in November 1963, and returns
were made to the General Register Office on a standard form.
This continued throughout 1964, using information added to
notifications of births and stillbirths. The purpose of these
arrangements is to ensure more understanding of the incidence,
distribution, and occurrence of congenital abnormalities, and to
add a further safeguard to prevent repetition of the Thalidomide
episode.
Welfare Poods
It was always policy in Croydon to sell at Infant Welfare
Centres, only National Dried Milk and vitamin preparations. The
final distribution was performed almost entirely by voluntary
workers. In addition a central office, staffed by members of the
Women's Voluntary Services, was open for five and a half days
each week.
The issues have altered over the years, following price
variations and the availability of branded goods. A table (see
Appendix page 111) does show however, the diminishing uptake of
cod liver oil. Although a more elegant preparation than formerly,
parents tend to prefer concentrated alternatives, perhaps of
less nutritional value, but without such obvious fish oil smell.
The Ministry might consider either an authorititive statement
confirming the vitamin superiority of natural cod liver oil, or
its replacement by a concentrate more acceptable to parents.
Issues of Welfare Poods in 1964:-
National Dried Milk 59,185 tins
Cod Liver Oil 5,224 bottles
Vitamin A and D Tablets 8,333 packets
Orange juice 73,272 bottles