Investigation launched into birth defects in Northfleet
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Campaigning mums with
some of their children - Stella Coffee, Natalie Margetson, Leon
Blackman, Courtney Barnes and Juliet Green
by Jamie Bullen
Health bosses have launched an
investigation after revelations five babies in one street were
diagnosed with the same rare birth defect.
The youngsters, including two unborn
children, have all been diagnosed with gastroschisis - a condition
where the bowels stick out through the abdomen wall.
According to NHS websites, the
condition affects just one in 7,000, but five cases have been
discovered in Waterdales, Northfleet, in the past 12 years - two in
the past few weeks.
A sixth case was also found in
neighbouring Dover Road and three more women have come forward
since
our story last week.
Kent's director of public health,
Meradin Peachey, has now stepped in to investigate the strange
pattern.
She has met the women at the
Northfleet Rectory Centre, when each case was discussed.
NHS bosses were meeting this week to
discuss how to progress their investigation.
The women all lived in
Waterdales, Northfleet, when they fell pregnant
An exact cause for the condition has
yet to be established. However, one link has already been ruled
out - it isn't something in the water.
A Southern Water spokesman said: "We
have spoken to the local Health Protection Unit, which has met with
the Primary Care Trust dealing with these cases, and currently they
have no concerns regarding water quality or potential link with the
water supply."
The women already had the backing of
Gravesham MP Adam Holloway (Con) for an investigation.
Mr Holloway, pictured left, said: "I am pleased
that this difficult situation is now being looked at on behalf of
the families and I am following up a number of suggestions as to
the cause."
On the women's Facebook group,
Gastroschisis babies, it is claimed more women have come forward to
say their babies were diagnosed. The group now has more than
130 members.
Stella Coffee, 38, of Waterdales,
Northfleet, said: "The scale of interest has been unbelievable.
"It is just a matter of waiting and
seeing. Hopefully we will have some answers - and a
cause - so people won't have to go through this."
Gravesham council leader John Burden
(Lab), who represents Northfleet South, said: "We're concerned
about this and will be working closely with Meradin Peachey and the
health authority to understand what the nature of the problem is
and to help the residents."
According to local historian Christoph
Bull, the rows of semi-detatched houses in Waterdales were built in
the 1930s. He said he had heard no fears the ground was
contaminated.
Cllr John Loughlin (Lab),
representative for Northfleet South, moved to the town 45 years ago
and remembers a landfill site on what is now Northfleet Country
Urban Park.
He said: "The only concerns I have
heard about contamination is from the pollution at the old cement
works in Northfleet High Street."
Wednesday, February 22 2012
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