Written question asked by Rudi Vis (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 15 October 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Friday, 15 October 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many children were born at under 24 weeks gestation in the last two years for which figures are available; how many were still alive one year later; how many were handicapped; and from what handicaps they suffered. - Inc figures and ref to study conducted at Nottingham University.

Answer: Dr. Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were born at under 24 weeks gestation in the last two years for which figures are available; how many were still alive one year later; how many were handicapped; and from what handicaps they suffered. [190167] Dr. Ladyman: The Department estimates that 450 babies were born from 400 deliveries before 24 weeks gestation in 2001-02. In 2002-03, about 600 babies were born from around 650 similar deliveries. Deliveries at low gestational age are often, but not always, precursors to disability. We do not have any information on the number of babies born in the most recent years who have physical or sensory impairments or learning difficulties. Neither do we know how many of those babies were still alive a year after birth. However, results of a United Kingdom and Ireland longitudinal study conducted at Nottingham University based on babies born before 26 weeks in the nine months from March to December 1995 is available at http://www.nottingham. ac.uk/human-development/EPICure/study2.htm .

Secondary information