asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a statement (details supplied) by Professor Robert Guthrie regarding the high incidence of phenylketonuria in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Incidence of Phenylketonuria.
28.
I have seen the statement referred to by the Deputy. Phenylketonuria, being a genetically inherited defect, is likely to have different incidences in different ethnic groups. It has been known for some time that the incidence in this country is higher than in other countries for which figures are available. From studies reported in medical journals, it seems that countries with fairly stable local population groups like Ireland, Scotland, Germany and Poland have the highest rates of PKU and tend to group around a figure of one in 6,600 births. The medium range of one in 10,000 births seems to apply to countries like Australia and France, while a third group of countries which includes the United States, Yugoslavia, Canada and Israel have rates of one in 14,000 or less.
Since the establishment in 1966 of the national screening service for PKU based at Temple Street Hospital, the incidence rate has been one in 4,500 of newly born infants screened. The coverage of newly born infants is very satisfactory at 94 per cent. This scheme was the first in Europe for the routine testing for PKU on a national basis, using the Guthrie test. The provision of suitable treatment for children with this defect, mainly in the form of a special diet, will result in many of these children being able to live reasonably normal lives where otherwise a varying degree of mental handicap could have been the eventual outcome. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, all treatment and medicines for the treatment of the conditions are now provided free of charge for affected children. Unfortunately, since the condition is genetically inherited, we cannot look forward to a lessening of the incidence rate.