§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to reduce the number of new-born babies dying from respiratory distress syndrome; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sackville[holding answer 17 June 1993]: Information about the effectiveness of clinical treatments is available to doctors through professional journals and other scientific publications. The results of widespread clinical trials have been published which suggest that artificial surfactant is an effective treatment for premature babies suffering from, or at high risk of, respiratory distress syndrome. The use of this treatment has grown rapidly within the national health service, even though it only became available commercially 18 months ago.