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32
V. TYPES OF HANDICAPS-
(on and off Register during 1.1.66 — 31.12.68)
1. Talipes 29
2. Cardiac Defect 22
(or Murmur under observation)
3. Down's Syndrome 12
4. Extra Digit 11
5. Hydrocephalus 8
6. Hare Lip 8
7. Slow Developer 8
8. EpiIepsy 5
9. Deafness 5
10. Dislocation of Hip 5
11. Pilonidal Sinus 4
12. Sicklecelled Anaemia 3
13. Spina Bifida 3
14. Meningocoele 3
15. Webbed fingers or toes 3
16. "E.S.N." 1
17. Abnormal Genitalia 1
18. Lump on neck 1
19. Kidney Defect 1
20. Autistic 2
21. Spastic(mild) 2
22. Cretin 1
23. Malignant Tumour 1
24. Lung defect 2
25. Ptosis 1
26. Hirschsprungs Disease 1
27. Asthma 2
28. Osteomyelitis 1
29. Hammer Toe 2
30. Coeliac Disease 2
31. Cerebral Palsy 2
Other defects included Cystic Fibrosis (3) Hiatus Hernia (2) Misplaced
Bladder (2) Cleft Palate (2) Cataract (1).
The Observation Register must certainly be regarded as one, but
only one, of the reliable means whereby early defects are noted.
It must surely encourage a full and alert examination by the Medical
Officer concerned and through its routine screening techniques serves
to exclude as well as to detect certain abnormalities.
However, agreement is being reached that it is not the whole answer
to early diagnosis. Other methods of detection and prevention must
ultimately be examined and compared.
The Swedish National Register of Congenital Malformations (ref.1)
for instance, is designed to give early warning of teratogen widespread
in the environment.
"Malformations in the new born are reported verbally to the register
each month and any increase of a specific type of malformation is
investigated."
Is it possible that a "Two-way Investigation Register" might be of
more significance? On the one hand investigation would be directed onto
the comparison of Etiology of registered congenital malformations and
on the other, special observation would be arranged of those infants
where abnormal or unusual factors have presented before, during or after