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The deaths occurring during the first month of life (neo-natal deaths) belong to a different
category from those occurring after this period. The neo-natal deaths consist principally of cases
of malformation, birth injury and prematurity, they include a high percentage of illegitimate infants,
most of whom have little chance of survival from birth. Skilled obstetric care at the confinement
is already within reach of all Kensington mothers, and the further reduction of the neo-natal death
rate is being attempted through the ante-natal services by educating the expectant mother in the
importance of the care of her health and the need for a balanced diet in pregnancy, the extra
nourishment for necessitous cases provided by the council being of great value in this connection.
Prematurity accounts for the largest number of neo-natal deaths ; the ideal to be achieved in this
class of case is not so much search for an improved method of treatment of the premature baby as
the prevention of prematurity.
The percentage of neo-natal deaths to the total infant death rate during 1936 was 28.2, compared
with 33.1 in 1935.
When the deaths of infants over one month are considered, it should be mentioned that several
factors have tended to raise the infant mortality rate in the county during 1936. In the spring
there were severe epidemics of measles and whooping cough, and in the latter part of the year there
was an epidemic of influenza. All these illnesses have tended to cause an increase in the number of
deaths from respiratory disease, and this tendency was increased by the poor summer and lack of
sunshine resulting in a lowered resistance to infection. In view of these facts which resulted in the
infant death rate for England and Wales and London showing an increase from the preceding
year, it is gratifying to note that the rate in Kensington decreased.
The appointment of whole-time medical officers for maternity and child welfare work has
facilitated administration; and the careful and co-ordinated work of the medical and health visiting
staffs, combined with the ancillary services available in Kensington must be tending to raise the
general level of health of the infants and young children in the borough.
The preventive aspect of medicine is stressed at all the sessions held by the council's medical
staff and this teaching is carried into the homes by the women health officers. A special watch is
kept for the early signs of rickets or anæmia in the infant and toddler, and the child prone to catarrh
receives special attention. The importance of hygiene, proper clothing and fresh air are constantly
taught.
The deaths from enteritis have diminished since last year. In January, 1936, the council
resolved to investigate the high incidence of enteritis amongst children in Kensington and a special
sub-committee was appointed, who reviewed the measures taken by the council during the past
fifteen years and reported them as being both practical and comprehensive. The sub-committee,
while still continuing their investigation, have issued an interim report in which they find from the
evidence that most measures calculated to reduce enteritis are already in force in the borough, but
since many cases appear to be the result of improper feeding an intensive educational and publicity
campaign was recommended and carried out during the year. In addition to this educational
campaign a special bacteriological investigation is being carried out.
In regard to the curative side, every mother attending an infant welfare centre is advised of
the wisdom of having a family doctor and the council's medical officers try to work in constant
co-operation with the private medical practitioner. A close co-operation also exists between the
welfare centres and the baby clinic, the baby hospital, the Princess Louise hospital, and the other
children's hospitals serving the borough. The baby clinic, which acts as the treatment centre for
all the welfare institutions in the borough, serves a useful purpose in providing medical attention
for the children of necessitous parents; it also provides massage, sunlight and other special treatment
when required. The new treatment centre in Kenley Street, which will be opened in 1937, will