Admissions to SCBU

Two sets of quadruplets were admitted at the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of St Luke's Hospital last year of whom five babies survived and three died of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), Health Minister Louis Deguara said in reply to a parliamentary question yesterday. He said that 12 sets of twins and two of triplets were admitted to the SCBU last year, all of whom survived.

There were 21 sets of twins in 1999, 23 in 2000, eight in 2001, 16 in 2002 and 15 in 2003. Ten babies died during those years. There were 15 sets of twins so far this year, of whom two babies died of prematurity RDS. There were also two sets of triplets in 1999, one in 2000, two in 2002 and four in 2003. All survived except for four who died in 2003. There was one set of triplets this year. All survived.

The question was made by Labour MP Silvio Parnis.