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85
PHENYLPYRUV1C 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 may be prevented. The arrangements 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 have continued. The test is a simple
one and is carried out bv the health visitors. The following are the statistics
with regard to this testing in the year 1962:-
(i) Number of children tested:-
(a) Where specimen of urine obtained at clinic 1,227
(b) Where specimen of urine obtained at home 766 1,993
(ii) Number of children tested (included in (i) above)
because of suspected mental backwardness 2
(iii) Number of tests which resulted in a positive
reaction Nil

The 258 children were found by the Orthopaedic Surgeon to have
the following defects:-