London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Richmond upon Thames 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]

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24
that phenistix testing for phenylketonuria should be replaced by the Guthrie test on
blood specimens taken on each infant on the sixth to fourteenth day of life. The
evidence available at present indicates that this test is least likely to fail to detect
phenylketonuria in an affected new-born infant thus enabling dietary treatment to start
as early as possible. The report encouraged in parallel, continued studies of other
screening tests and suggested that screening procedures might also cover other inborn
errors of metabolism.
At the end of the year the situation was that it was known that a decision had
been made to establish a Regional Centre for the Guthrie test for phenylketonuria to
be sited at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton, which would serve the
clinics in the Richmond and Barnes districts of the Borough. Negotiations were also
in progress with the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board for similar
facilities to be made available for clinics on the Middlesex bank.
Early Detection of Deafness
In order that children who have a hearing loss may be detected as early as possible,
routine hearing tests are performed by the health visitors and clinic doctors from the
age of six months.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum
(See page 55).
Child Health Clinics
At the end of the year, there were 12 child health clinics. (For location of clinics
etc. see map inside the cover at the end of the report). One clinic has 5 sessions a week,
two have 3 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 26.
Orthopaedic Service
Of the 55 children under five years of age treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic
during the year, 17 were new cases seen by the surgeon, 38 were re-examinations at
the surgeon's clinic. These children made 55 attendances.
Dental Treatment — Expectant and Nursing Mothers and Young Children
Mr. G. H. Tucker, L.D.S., R.C.S., Chief Dental Officer, reports as follows.
The number of attendances and the amount of treatment given during the year
is shown in Tables I and II which follow:

Table I.

Pre-School Children

Examined at clinic606
Requiring treatment310
Commenced treatment287
Attendances for treatment648
Fillings inserted506
Extractions167
General Anaesthetics78