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a little further and use the generally accepted 4½ lb. weight as
essential hospitalisation weight, it follows that according to
intrauterine weights it is not until the 34th week that the foetus
reaches 2,041 g. or 4£ lbs. It is therefore even more urgent
where a woman not more than 34 weeks pregnant shows any
indication of the onset of labour that she shall immediately be
sent to a hospital where there are special arrangements for
dealing with premature babies.
St. Helier Hospital continues to provide the special institutional
accommodation for our cases, and by arrangement furnishes
us with full details on discharge to enable any special
measures to be continued. The hospital provides a specially
equipped ambulance for the transport of these cases, designed
to prevent loss of body heat in transit. We provide special
equipment for cases born at home and remaining at home,
including a special cot. The services of a paediatrician are also
available for consultation in the home, by direct call or through
the department.
Special emphasis has recently been laid on the availability
of breast milk in these cases. No bank for breast milk has been
established in the area but there is no doubt that breast milk
could be provided if such was advised in any particular case.
The total number of premature babies notified during the
year were as follows, born :—
(a) At home 6
(b) In hospital 17
The number of those born at home:—
(a) Who were nursed entirely at home 6
(b) Who died during the first 24 hours —
(c) Who survived at the end of one month 6
The number of those born in hospital:—
(a) Who died during the first 24 hours 2
(b) Who survived at the end of one month 13
19