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 1942
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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67
Maternal Mortality.
There were 9 deaths directly due to pregnancy, compared
with 8 in 1941. The maternal mortality rate was 2.51 per 1,000
births, compared with 3.23 in 1941. In other words, one mother
died for every 400 babies born.
The deaths directly due to pregnancy were caused by—
(1) Ruptured ectopic gestation.
(2) Pulmonary embolism consequent upon child-birth.
(3) Coronary embolism: Cesarean section.
(4) Post-partum hæmorrhage.
(5) Coronary air embolism: gas gangrene of uterus:
pregnancy full term.
(6) Toxæmia of pregnancy.
(7) Puerperal sepsis.
(8) Intra-cranial hæmorrhage: eclampsia: pregnancy.
P.M.
(9) Obstetric shock: dystocia and retained placenta.
In addition there were three deaths due to criminal abortion
included by the Registrar-General under suicide, etc.
Puerperal Fever and Puerperal Pyrexia.
Seventy-eight cases of Puerperal Pyrexia were notified. This
is a rate of 21.8 per 1,000 births (live and still births).
The following table gives information concerning the accommodation utilized for confinements:—
| Number. | Percentage. | |
|---|---|---|
| In Private Houses | 1,344 | 35.31 |
| In Public Institutions | 1,715 | 45.06 |
| Registered Maternity Homes | 747 | 19.63 |
| 3,806 |
Still Births.
During 1942, 108 still births were registered in respect of
Croydon. Of these 59 were male babies and 49 female; 6 males
and 4 females were illegitimate. The proportion of still births