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14
INFANT MORTALITY
It will be seen that the number of deaths (24) under this
heading has risen sharply as compared with 1957 when the total
was 16. In 1956 the aggregate was 21. Of the deaths now under
review, eighty-three per cent had not attained to an age of four
weeks, and mortality was attributed to the following causes:-
Males
Females
Asphyxia - 1
Atelectasis 1 1
Haemorrhage, Cerebral 1 -
Malformations, Congenital 4 3
Prematurity 7 2
Pneumonia 1 2
Septicaemia 1 -
During the ten years 1925 to 1934, 465 infants under the age
of one year died, thus giving an annual average of 46.5 for that
period. In the years 1949 to 1958, deaths aggregated 201, or an
annual average of 20.1. It will be observed that the number of
deaths under this particular heading increased as compared with
1957, due mainly to the incidence of prematurity which was returned
as nine as against five in the previous year. It will be noted
that almost 71 per cent. of total deaths recorded occurred before
the age of one week. It must also be borne in mind that the numbers
of deaths in this connection appear to present unrealistic rates.
The actual periods at which mortality was recorded are as follows:-
Under 1
week
Under 4
weeks
4 weeks to
3 months
3 to 6
months
6 to 12
months
Total
under
1 year
Males
12
3
-
-
-
15
Females
5
-
1
2
1
9
17
3
1
2
1
24