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319. Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin   asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children aged between one and 15 who were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in each year from 1995 to 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24657/02]
Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): As ulcerative colitis is not a notifiable disease, comprehensive information on the number of [1104] people diagnosed with the condition is not available. For those with the condition who require hospitalisation, data are available from hospital in-patient enquiry HIPE system which records information on hospitalisations in all publicly funded acute hospitals.
The following table provides the number of hospitalisations of children aged one to 15 years due to ulcerative colitis for 1995 to 2000. If patients are admitted more than once in a given year, each attendance is recorded separately in HIPE. It should be noted that the figures set out in the table are not comparable with those provided in the parliamentary question answered on 5 November 2002 as the age groups used differ slightly.
Number of Hospitalisations of Children Aged 1 to 15 Years due to Ulcerative Colitis, 1995 to 2000
| Year |
Number |
| 1995 |
50 |
| 1996 |
51 |
| 1997 |
54 |
| 1998 |
62 |
| 1999 |
48 |
| 2000 |
46 |
Source: Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) system.
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