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40
but very probably because of its compelling attraction to pregnant
women who find not only anonymity but better facilities in the antenatal,
maternity, social and welfare fields.
Illegitimate births in Greenwich during the current year numbered
366, equivalent to 10.1% of all live births registered, an increase of
I.5% over that for the previous year. In effect, this means that one
baby in every ten born of Greenwich residents was illegitimate.
Even so, this situation was the most favourable of all the Inner
London Boroughs whose average illegitimacy was 15.3%. Figures
for the Greater London area and for England and Wales were
11.4% and 8.4% respectively. In each case, the percentage quoted
shows an increase over the previous year's figure.
Stillbirths
There has been a steady reduction of the stillbirth rate in England
and Wales from the 1930 figure of 41 to the present rate of 14.8.
Recent studies instituted by the Medical Research Council, et al,
have confirmed that the mother's age, parity and social class were
found to be significant factors affecting stillbirths. Furthermore,
improvements in this field were most marked in the higher social
classes.
Registered Greenwich stillbirths numbered 54 (27 males—27
females) which is equivalent to a rate of 14.77 per 1,000 total births,
a decrease of 0.86 from that for 1966. Greater London returned
a rate of 13.3 and that for Inner London was 13.5.
All stillbirths must be registered in accordance with the Registration
Service Act of 1953 as amended by the Population (Statistics)
Act, 1960, and must be accompanied by a statement as to cause.
An investigation of stillbirths occurring to Greenwich residents
during 1967 reveals that the majority of stillbirths resulted from
placental insufficiency, congenital malformations and accidental
haemorrhage. A full analysis of causes of stillbirths is given in the
following table: —
Anoxia 1
Asphyxia 1
Asphyxia placental 1
Congenital malformation 11
Dystocia 1
Haemorrhage—accidental 4
ante partum 2
retro-placenta 1 1
Hydrocephalus 1
Hypertension—acute 1
essential 1
Macerated foetus 5
Placental insufficiency 9
Postmaturity 3
Prolapsed cord 2
Rhesus incompatability 4
Toxaemia—pre-eclamptic 3
Unknown 2
Uterine infection 1