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
Wood Green 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]
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7
INFANTILE MORTALITY
The number of deaths of infants under one year was 21 and
the Infantile Mortality Rate, 32 per 1,000 live births. This Rate
is unfortunately appreciably higher than that for each of the two
previous years which was 25, and is the highest since 1946 when
it was 34. The rate has been falling steadily for the past few years,
and although it is too much to expect that the fall should be
uninterrupted, it is none the less regrettable to have to record this
temporary set-back.
Of the 21 infantile deaths, 8 occurred within 24 hours of
birth, 13 during the first week, and 15 during the first four weeks of
life. This gives a Neo-natal Mortality Rate of 23. The corresponding
figure for 1950 was 19.
Of the eight deaths occurring in the first 24 hours, three
were those of premature infants, two were cases of rhesus
incompatibility, and three were cases of birth injury or serious
congenital defect.
The following table shows the causes of death at the various ages under one year.
| Cause of Death | Under 1 week. | 1 to 2 weeks. | 2 to 3 weeks. | 3 to 4 weeks. | Total under 4 weeks. | 4 weeks and under 3 months. | 3 months and under 6 months. | 6 months and under 9 months. | 9 months and under 12 months. | Total Deaths under One Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prematurity | 4 | 1 | - | - | 5 | - | - | - | - | 5 |
| Congenital Defects | — | - | - | - | — | 2 | - | - | - | 2 |
| Atelectasis | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | — | - | - | - | 1 |
| Gastro-enteritis | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 1 |
| Intra-cranial Haemorrhage | 4 | - | - | - | 4 | — | - | - | - | 4 |
| Capillary Bronchitis | — | - | - | - | — | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
| Asphyxia Neonatorum | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | — | - | — | - | 1 |
| Icterus Gravis Neonatorum | 2 | — | — | — | 2 | — | - | - | - | 2 |
| Volvulus | - | 1 | - | - | 1 | — | - | — | - | 1 |
| Whooping Cough | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | - | 1 |
| Broncho-pneumonia | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | 2 |
| Total | 13 | 2 | — | — | 15 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 21 |
MATERNAL MORTALITY
Only one death occurred during the year which was attributable
to childbirth—a case of ruptured ectopic pregnancy complicated
by necrosis of the kidneys. The Maternal Mortality Rate
was 1.5 per 1,000 births.