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TESTS FOR PHENYLKETONURIA
Since 1958 tests have been taking place in the area in connection with the diagnosis
of phenylketonuria in young babies The tests are instituted to ascertain if there
is any evidence of delay in mental development which may be shown by the presence of
phenylketonuria shown in the urine
Every baby attending the Child Welfare Clinic has its urine tested either at the
Welfare Clinic or at home„
Should a test prove positive then the child's general medical practitioner and the
medical department at the Hospital for Sick children are immediately notified.
ANTE-NATAL CLINIC
Ante-Natal Clinic sessions are held at each.of the health services clinics and at
the Lady Rayleigh Training Home, 554 first attendances were recorded and these patients
made a total of 3,423 attendances during the year.
POST-NATAL CLINIC
This Clinic is held at Leyton Green Road monthly and referrals are made by the
clinic medical officers, midwives, etc. Dr.Anne Clark, the medical officer in charge
examined 145 mothers who made 202 attendances.
BIRTH CONTROL CLINIC
This clinic is also under the control of Dr.Clark to whom the patients are referred
by general medical practitioners. Twelve mothers were so referred and made a total
of 37 attendances.
DENTAL TREATMENT
Although the national shortage of dental staff is still acute in all areas all
expectant and nursing mothers and children referred by the clinic medical officers
were seen and received treatment while some of the older mothers are not willing to
undergo a full course of treatment to render them dentally fit, most of the younger
mothers are, and it is among this latter group that the most good can be done by way
of approach to the very young children.
When it is appreciated that children entering school have on the average five
decayed teeth and on multiplying this figure by the number of births per annum some
idea of the amount of work necessary among school entrants can be envisaged.
(38)