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Surveys
The department has taken part in a number of surveys in association with various
research bodies during the year. These include a survey into children suffering from
spina bifida (Greater London Council); investigation into accidents occurring to
children under 5 years old (Medical Commission on Accident Prevention); survey of
childhood cancers (Oxford University); nutrition survey of pre-school children
(Ministry of Health); investigation into the possible virus aetiology of mental deficiency
(St. George's Hospital Medical School, London).
Phenylketonuria
A child who had two negative tests carried out at the Child Welfare Clinic in its
second month of life was diagnosed at almost a year old as suffering from phenylketonuria.
Mental retardation was then present.
This occurrence highlights the potential unreliability of urine testing as a screening
procedure to exclude the particular metabolic disorder of phenylpyruvic oligophrenia
and efforts have been made to introduce for routine screening of infants the more
accurate blood test of Scriver or Guthrie. However, so far, laboratory facilities are not
yet available to carry out the test within the hospital catchment areas of the Borough.
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 48).
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 5 sessions
a week, two have three sessions a week, 6 have two sessions a week, 3 have one session
a week.
To augment the above the arrangement made with Surrey County Council for the
use of its mobile clinic was continued. Five sessions in alternate weeks are held at sites
in Hampton, Twickenham and Whitton.
For details of attendances etc. during the year see page 21.
Orthopaedic Service
Of the 66 children under five years of age treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic
during the year, 14 were new cases seen by the surgeon, 52 were re-examinations at
the surgeon's clinic. These children made 66 attendances.
Dental Treatment — Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Children.
Mr. G. Tucker, L.D.S., R.C.S., Chief Dental Officer, reports as follows:
The following figures show the number of attendances and the amount of treatment
given during the year:—
Pre-School Children
Examined at clinic 534
Required treatment 291
Commenced treatment 275
Attendances for treatment 612
Fillings inserted 453
Extractions 182
General Anaesthetics 77
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