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31
This Infant Mortality Rate, although slightly higher than the
figure of 24 returned for the previous year, is identical with that
recorded for 1947 and 1948, and still compares very favourably with
the previous 10 years' average of 36. The increase partly reflects
the abnormally low figure returned for 1949.
The total number of deaths during the year was 40, an increase
of 4 over that of 1949.

Of the above, 25 were male and 15 female. Ten died in St.
Alfege's Hospital, 4 in the Miller Hospital, 2 in the Brook Hospital,
15 in other Hospitals and 9 at home.
Neo-natal mortality, i.e. Infants dying before attaining the age
of one month, accounted for 25 deaths, equivalent to 62.5% of all
infant deaths and giving a Neo-natal Mortality Rate of 16.7 per
1,000 live births. Of these 25, 17 died within the first week and as
usual the main causes were Prematurity and Congenital Malformation.
A table showing the causes of, and ages at, death is included
in the Appendix of the Report.
If further improvement is to be made in reducing Infantile
Mortality it is among the Neo-natal deaths that the greatest opportunity
lies. Recent medical advances in the prevention of haemolytic
disease of the newborn and improved treatment of immature
infants give grounds for sober optimism that such amelioration will
be forthcoming.