§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many premature babies have been born each year in the last five years; how many received specialist care in hospital; how many after birth were turned away from specialist care each year; of those turned away, how many subsequently died or developed handicaps; and if he will name the hospitals concerned in each case.
§ Mr. John PattenFull details of the number of premature babies are not collected centrally, but the numbers of low birthweight (2,500 grams or less) live-born babies in England in the five years ending 1983 are shown in the table. These will include the majority of premature live births, but will also include some full-term low birthweight babies. The information available to us does not distinguish accurately between premature and other babies who received specialist care in hospital. The remaining information requested is not available centrally.
Low Birthweight Babies, Live Born, England Year 000's 1979 40.7 1980 42.5 1981 40.8 1982 40.4 1983 40.2