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PHENYLPYRUVIC AMENTIA. - This form of mental backwardness
is associated with the presence of phenylpyruvic acid in the
urine, and by early detection and dietary treatment mental deterioration
that is otherwise unavoidable maybe prevented. From January 1960 arrangements
were made for testing by routine the urine of infants at the third
to fourth week of life for the detection of the presence of this acid. The
testis a simple one and is carried out by the Health Visitors. The following
are the statistics with regard to this testing in the year 1960:—
(i) Number of children tested:—
(a) Where specimen of urine obtained at clinic 910
(b) Where specimen of urine obtained at home 799 1,709
(ii) Number of children tested (included in (i) above) because
of suspected mental backwardness 9
(iii) Number of tests which resulted in a positive reaction 1
The case found to be positive to this test was admitted to the
Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, W.C.1, on an
arrangement made by the General Medical Practitioner whom the Health
Visitor had contacted. The diagnosis was there confirmed.
ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC.-

The 255 children were found by the Orthopaedic Surgeon to have
the following defects:—