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Survey of Childhood Cancers
During 1965 the health department continued to co-operate in this survey which
is being carried out by Dr. Alice Stewart of the Department of Social Medicine,
Oxford University.
The work involves an investigation into the medical history of families of children
who have died from cancer or leukaemia. The names of these children are supplied
from Oxford, suitable matched 'controls' are selected from birth records, the co-operation
of parents is sought by the health visitor and interviews to obtain the required
information are undertaken by a medical officer.
Phenylketonuria
A simple urine test can detect this rare but very distressing disease in the first few
weeks, when it is amenable to treatment. The test is now available for all children
born in the borough and is performed by the health visitor.
No tests were positive.
Early Detection of Deafness
In order that children who are deaf can benefit from auditory training, testing for
hearing is done by the health visitor during the first year.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(See page 49).
Child Welfare Centres
At the end of the year, there were 12 child welfare centres. (For location of
centres etc. see map inside the cover at the end of the report). One centre has 4 sessions
a week, two have three sessions a week, 6 have two sessions a week, 3 have one session
a week.
In order to meet the demands for child welfare centres in areas where premises
are not available, an arrangement has been made with Surrey County Council for the
use of its mobile clinic. Five sessions in alternate weeks are held at sites in Hampton,
Twickenham and Whitton.
The work in the centres is changing, with an emphasis on the awareness of the early
signs of certain defects. The screening is carried out by doctors with special experience
and interest in developmental paediatrics. Children with certain familial, obstetric and
neonatal histories are "observed" at regular intervals so that deviations from the normal
can be discovered early and the parents helped to obtain the correct medical and
educational treatment.
For details of attendances etc. during the year see page 17.
At the end of the year no Council's clinics were being used by family doctors for
patients on their list.
Orthopaedic Service
Of the 134 children under five years of age treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic
during the year, 5 3 were new cases seen by the surgeon, 81 were re-examinations at the
surgeon's clinic. These children made 368 attendances.
18