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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wood Green]
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INFANT MORTALITY
There were 14 deaths of infants under one year of age, giving
an Infant Mortality rate of 21.4 per 1,000 live-births. This com'
pares with a total of 21 deaths, and an Infant Mortality rate of 32
in 1951. The Infant Mortality rate for 1952 is the lowest yet
recorded in Wood Green. It must be appreciated, of course, that
with such a few number of deaths, it would be extremely dangerous
to draw significant conclusion from the figures for one year. It is,
however, at least satisfactory to obtain evidence which seems to
indicate that the services built up by the Borough Council and
now implemented by the County Council are functioning on
adequate lines.
Of the 14 infant deaths, two occurred within 24 hours of
birth, eight during the first week, and ten during the first four
weeks of life. This gives a Neo-natal Mortality rate of 15. The
corresponding figure for 1951 was 23.
Of the two deaths occurring in the first 24 hours, both were
due to birth injuries.
The following table shows the causes of death at 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 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Congenital Defects | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Atelectasis | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | 4 |
| Gastro—enteritis | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Intra—cranial Haemorrhage | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | 3 |
| Capillary Bronchitis | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | — | — | 2 |
| Asphyxia Neonatorum | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Icterus Gravis Neonatorum | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Volvulus | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| Whooping Cough | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Broncho—pneumonia | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 2 | — | — | 10 | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | 14 |