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
Croydon 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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194
The rate of infant mortality amongst illegitimate children
was 144 per 1,000. The rate in legitimate children was 43 per
1,000.
The following table gives the causes of death during the first month of life:—
| I. | Complications of Labour— | |
| Cerebral Haemorrhage | 3 | |
| Trauma at Birth | 2 5 | |
| II. | FOetai. States— | |
| Congenital Heart Malformation | 3 | |
| Other Congenital Deformities | 3 | |
| Atelectasis | 9 | |
| Congenital Debility and Marasmus | 3 | |
| Purpura Hsemorrhagica | 1 | |
| Syphilis | 2 | |
| 21 | ||
| III. | Prematurity | 46 |
| 46 | ||
| IV. | Post-Natal Causes | 11 |
| 1 | ||
| 83 |
The rate of infantile mortality for England and Wales in 1933
was 64, and for the 118 large towns 67. The rate for Croydon is
therefore considerably lower than the average rate. An analysis
of Table LXXXVII shows that, of the total infant deaths, 18.9%
occurred on the first day of life and 56.1% before the completion
of the first month, and it is probable that these deaths were due to
causes operating before birth except in so far as accidents of birth
(5) are concerned.