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25
CARE OF MOTHERS AND YOUNG CHILDREN
Ante-Natal and Post-Natal Clinics
Existing arrangements of a unified hospital and local authority obstetric
service for the former County Borough area continued. There was no progress
in the approach to Redhill Hospital for more co-ordination of hospital
and domiciliary maternity services, nor was it possible to make arrangements
for their pupil midwives to receive Part II training in that part of the London
Borough area covered by Redhill Hospital. Routine meetings of the Maternity
Liaison Committee continued.
At the ante-natal clinics a total of 5,372 mothers attended during the
year. 917 mothers attended the post-natal clinic. At relaxation and mothercraft
classes 1,052 mothers made 5,623 attendances. 3,170 patients had an
initial blood test 82 were found to have Rh. antibodies. 63 were referred to
the special clinic for venereal diseases.
Care of Premature Babies
Arrangements for the supervision of premature babies after discharge
from hospital were extended to the whole borough within the catchment area
of Mayday Hospital. These include routine estimations of haemoglobin with
reference back to the hospital of any infant found to have less than 60%.
For detailed figures see Appendix page 106.
Phenylketonuria
All babies had a urine test by a midwife at home or in hospital at 9 -10
days after birth, and a second test by a health visitor between 5 and 6 weeks
of age. 1 child was found to be suffering from phenylketonuria during 1967.
"At Risk" Register
Since 1963 midwives and health visitors have notified babies who may
have a greater liability than the ordinary infant to show congenital defects,
so that they may be kept under special surveillance. These "risks" are as
follows:-
Genetic: Family history of deafness, blindness, etc.
Pre-natal: Rubella or other virus infection in first 16
weeks of pregnancy.
Rhesus incompatibilities.
Severe illness necessitating chemotherapy or
major surgery in early months of pregnancy.
Peri-natal: Prolonged or difficult labour.
Prematurity.
Neo-natal jaundice.