§ Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was, for the most recent year, the number of babies born alive in England with birthweights of(a) under 1,000 grammes, (b) 1,000 to 1,499 grammes, (c) 1,500 to 1,999 grammes, (d) 2,000 to 2,499 grammes, (e) 2,500 grammes and over and (f) with unstated birthweights; and what are the numbers of babies in each group who were admitted to special or intensive care baby units, the numbers discharged alive and their average lengths of stay;
(2) for the most recent year, the number of babies born alive in England at gestational ages of (a) under 28 weeks, (b) 28 to 31 weeks, (c) 32 to 36 weeks, (d) 37 to 41 weeks, (e) 42 or more weeks and (f) with unknown gestational ages; and what are the numbers of babies in each group who were admitted to special or intensive care baby units, the numbers discharged alive and their average length of stay.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 25 July 1990]: The information requested on live births by birthweight is as follows:
438W
England 1989 Birthweight Under 1,000 grammes 2,325 1,000–1,499 grammes 3,891 1,500–1,999 grammes 8,283
Birthweight 2,000–2,499 grammes 28,127 2,500 grammes and over 586,749 unstated birthweight 19,982 Source: OPCS
Information on gestation, type of care received and outcome are not included in birth registration data, but are being collected from 1988–89 in the maternity hospital episode system. Complete data for 1988–89, the first year of the system, are not available and the extent to which the incomplete data can be used to make reliable estimates is currently under consideration. Preliminary indications are that the percentage of live births by gestation are as follows:
Babies born alive by gestation 1988–89 England Number of weeks gestation Per cent. All 100 Under 28 1 28–32 1 33–36 5 37–40 70 41–42 19 Over 42 1 Unknown 4 More detailed analyses are available only at disproportionate cost.