§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what statistics his Department collects on the number of children born with limb deficiency; and if he will list the figures for the last three years. [92306]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 22 July 1999]: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Director of the Office for National Statistics. I have asked him to reply.
Letter from Tim Holt to Mr. Mark Oaten, dated 23 July 1999:
As Director of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your parliamentary question on limb deficiency.The ONS collects information through the National Congenital Anomaly System. This system, which is voluntary at all stages, has been monitoring congenital anomalies in England and Wales since 1964. The primary purpose of this system is to detect changes in the frequency of reporting of any particular anomaly rather than trying to estimate the prevalence at birth.The following table shows babies notified with limb reduction defects*, numbers and rates per 10,000 live and stillbirths. England and Wales 1995–1997.
Number Rate 1995 191 2.9 1996 195 3.0 1997 135 2.1 * International Classification of Diseases 10th revision Q71-Q73.
Note:
Data as at 20 July 1999
Source:
National Congenital Anomaly System