A total of 21,013 babies were born in the five-year period to 2012, Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said in Parliament.

Answering questions by Deo Debattista (PL), Dr Farrugia said 13,151 were normal vaginal deliveries, 61 by forceps, 851 by ventouse, 20 breech extractions and 6,930 Caesarean sections.

In the same period, 13 babies were referred to the CDAU and diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Eight of them had been delivered normally, three by Caesarean section and two by ventouse.

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