View report page

635
It will be noted that during 1926 the deaths during the first
month of life amounted to 44 per cent. of the total infant mortality
during the first year of life, in Stoke Newington. Such
deaths are mainly (83 per cent.) due to Prematurity, Debility and
Congenital Defects.
During the past 20 years the infant mortality rate has fallen
some 50 per cent., but this fall has occurred almost entirely
subsequent to the first few weeks of life, the still-birth rate and the
death rate during the first month remaining much as they
were 20 years ago.
Thus the mortality for the first month of life has been but little
reduced, the saving of infant lives taking place mainly in the subsequent
months. Approximately two-thirds of the deaths occurring
in the first month of life are taking place in the first week
of life from such causes as prematurity, congenital debility,
and malformation. It is only by the adoption of more antenatal
work that these very early deaths will be reduced
substantially.
The fact that there is no decrease in the deaths resulting from
Premature Birth is the one discouraging circumstance which emerges
from the study of the particulars of our infant mortality in Stoke
Newington. It is not easy to account for this. Such deaths should,
having regard to all that has been done in recent years, be on the
decrease.
The developed ante-natal work that can reduce the number of
deaths in the first month of life should bring about a reduction in
the considerable number of premature and still-births, 50 per cent.
of which are believed to be preventable. Under the Notification
of Births Act, 1907, all births, even those of dead infants, which
occur after 28 weeks of gestation must be notified to the Medical
Officer of Health. It is realised that there are reasons for hesitating
to demand notification of much earlier deaths, but it would be of
material assistance to the maternity and child welfare work if the
period of 28 weeks could be reduced to 24.