Thomas P. Broughan
Question:227 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the Down's syndrome rate amongst infants since the State was founded or from when the relevant statistics were first taken. [15113/98]
Vol. 492 No. 7
227 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the Down's syndrome rate amongst infants since the State was founded or from when the relevant statistics were first taken. [15113/98]
National figures in relation to Down's syndrome are not available. As part of the birth notification system, statistical information is collected on each birth and includes specification of congenital birth defects. This data cannot, however, be used to provide national incidence figures for birth defects since the information is recorded shortly after the birth and many congenital anomalies, including Down's syndrome, may not be positively identified at this time.
A European project on congenital defects, EUROCAT, has operated in Ireland since 1979. At present it covers the Eastern Health Board region and Galway county. However, more comprehensive information should be available in the near future as a EUROCAT register has recently been set up in the Southern Health Board and a similar register is currently being developed in the North-Eastern Health Board.
Year |
Down's Syndrome Births |
Rate per 10,000 Births |
||
Eastern Health Board Region |
Galway County |
Eastern Health Board Region |
Galway County |
|
1980 |
57 |
N.A. |
22 |
N.A. |
1981 |
45 |
11 |
18 |
31 |
1982 |
44 |
10 |
18 |
30 |
1983 |
35 |
10 |
15 |
38 |
1984 |
40 |
4 |
18 |
12 |
1985 |
52 |
2 |
24 |
6 |
1986 |
43 |
6 |
20 |
19 |
1987 |
36 |
7 |
17 |
23 |
1988 |
35 |
7 |
18 |
24 |
1989 |
30 |
7 |
16 |
26 |
1990 |
35 |
10 |
18 |
37 |
1991 |
36 |
7 |
18 |
29 |
1992 |
40 |
5 |
21 |
16 |
1993 |
44 |
8 |
24 |
30 |
1994 |
40 |
4 |
22 |
19 |
1995 |
34 |
4 |
19 |
16 |
1996 |
56 |
7 |
30 |
27 |