HC Deb 09 February 1998 vol 306 cc42-3W
Mr. Ieuan Wyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many babies were born with serious birth defects in each health authority in Wales in(a) 1997,(b) 1987 and (c) 1977. [26988]

Mr. Win Griffiths

The number of voluntary notifications of babies born with congenital anomalies, by usual residence of mother, is shown in the following tables for the years 1977, 1987 and 1996, which is the latest year for which information is available. Data for 1996 are not comparable with the previous years as prior to 1990 all malformations were notifiable, but from 1990 onwards specified minor anomalies were excluded from notifications to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Additionally, prior to 1995 only those anomalies detected at or within ten days of birth were notified. Data for 1996 include anomalies detected after 10 days.

Health Authority of residence of mother 1977 11987
Clwyd 89 63
Dyfed 69
East Dyfed 69
Pembrokeshire 39
Gwent 60 70
Health Authority of residence of mother 7977 11987
Gwynedd 42 48
Mid Glamorgan 98 148
powys 26 41
South Glamorgan 93 70
West Glamorgan 74 54
Wales 551 602
1 Dyfed figures for 1987 were provided by the health authorities of East Dyfed and Pembrokeshire
Health Authority of residence of mother 11996
Bro Taf 75
Dyfed Powys 19
Gwent 11
Morgannwg 9
North Wales 63
Wales 177
1 1996 figures were provided by the reorganised health authorities which came into being on 1 April 1996.

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