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The quantities of national welfare foods issued were
National dried milk (packets) 3,872
Orange juice (bottles) 72,731
Vitamin tablets (packets) 2,078
Cod liver oil (bottles) 879
Vitamin drops (bottles) 4,206
Sales of National dried milk diminished during the year
following the withdrawal of cheap welfare milk for
expectant and nursing mothers and children under school
age. At the same time vitamin drops were introduced as a
replacement for cod liver oil (which was withdrawn early in
the year) and sales of these drops more than off-set the
decrease in sales of cod liver oil.
Notification of congenital defects apparent at birth
Since 1st January 1964 it has been a statutory requirement
that all congenital malformations apparent at birth be
notified to the medical officer of health at the same time as
the notification of birth. The names of children so
notified are included in the department's observation
register as children at risk, and particulars are also sent
each month to the Department of Health and Social
Security. The following is a list of defects notified during
1971.
Central nervous system
Anencephalus 4
Spina bifida 2
Hydrocephalus 1
Microcephalus 1
Other specified malformation of brain or spinal cord 1
Eye and ear
Other specified malformations of eye 3
Other specified malformations of ear 1
Unspecified malformations of ear 1
Alimentary system
Cleft lip 2
Cleft palate 4
Malformations of tongue 1
Tracheo-oesophageal fistula, oesophageal
atresia and stenosis 1
Rectal and anal atresia and stenosis 1
Heart and circulatory system
Specified malformations of heart and circulatory
system 1
Unspecified malformations of heart and circulatory
system 4
Respiratory system
Malformations of nose 1
Urino-genital system
Hypospadias, epispadias 4
Other specified malformation of urino-genital
organs (includes pseudohermaphroditism) 1
Limbs
Polydactyly 2
Reduction deformity hand or arm 3
Talipes 9
Congenital dislocation of hip 1
Other specified malformations of leg or pelvis 2
Other parts of musculo-skeletal system
Other malformations of musculo-skeletal system
(including congenital hernias except hiatus hernia) 29
Other systems
Other malformations of face and neck 2
Other unspecified malformations of muscles,
skin and fascia 1
Pigmented naevus 1
Other malformations
Other and unspecified congenital malformations 1
Down's syndrome (mongolism) 4
For our own purposes, the only children we follow up
are those whose defect is likely to be a handicap to them in
their future progress.
As the notifications are made within the first 48 hours of
birth, often before a doctor has examined the baby, it is
possible that a considerable number of congenital defects
are not notified by this method, notably such conditions as
pyloric stenosis, fibrocystic disease, various congenital heart
defects and various renal defects. We therefore still rely
upon the hospital paediatricians for their co-operation with
regard to notifying these defects.
Joint Obstetric and Child Health Project
1230 babies born this year, living within the specified
catchment area of the borough have been included in this
project. The progress of these babies is assessed at regular
developmental examinations. The first examination is
performed on the sixth day of life and takes place either in
hospital or, in the case of domiciliary confinements and
those discharged from hospital after 48 hours, at home.
The babies are examined in the local health clinic at the age
of 2-6 weeks and will then be examined at regular intervals
until they enter school. The interest shown by the mothers
participating in the scheme has been considerable and their
co-operation wholehearted. Already a great deal of
information has been obtained about normal child
development. 33 of the children have moved within the
borough and 167 have moved away from Hounslow and it
is hoped that most of these will be followed-up. 27 children
have moved overseas. When a family moves out of
Hounslow to another part of the United Kingdom, the
Medical Officer of Health of the new area is contacted and
asked to arrange for the necessary follow-up examination.
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