London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Chelsea 1960
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1960
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14
INFANT MORTALITY
During the year the number of deaths registered was twelve,
the same as in 1959. Of this total, nine had not attained the
age of four weeks.
Four hundred and sixty-five infants under the age of one
year, died in the period 1925 to 1934, giving an annual average
of 46.5, whilst during the years 1951 to 1960 deaths aggregated
181 and presented an annual average of 18.1.
It is of interest to indicate that deaths from this cause
totalled twelve, as in the preceding year. This was mainly
due to the fact that there were only two instances of prematurity,
as against nine in 1958.
Mortality was attributed to the following causes:-
| Males | Females | |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital malformations | -- | 1 |
| Respiratory failure | 1 | - |
| Cerebral vascular accident | 1 | - |
| Asphyxia | - | 1 |
| Prematurity | 2 | - |
| Atelectasis | 1 | 1 |
| Intestinal obstruction | 1 | - |
| Diabetes | 1 | - |
| Cerebral atrophy | - | 1 |
| Broncho-pneumonia | - | 1 |
The actual periods at which mortality was recorded are as follows:-
| Under 1 week | Under 4 weeks | 4 weeks to 3 months | 3 to 6 months | 6 to 12 months | Total under 1 year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Males | 5 | 1 | - | - | 1 | 7 |
| Females | 3 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 5 |