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The relatively high number of deaths from respiratory infection
emphasises that the prevention of the spread of colds and coughs, particularly
to young babies, is of the greatest importance.
The 17 babies dying in the first month correspond with a Neonatal
Mortality Rate of 16 (i.e., deaths in the first month per 1,000 live
births). This is the lowest recorded in this District since 1936, when
this rate was first noted, the previous lowest being 18 in 1944, and the
average for the 11 years being 26.5.
During the year 3 premature babies were notified as being born at
home and 34 in institutions. Of the former, 1 died within a few hours
of birth and another died when two months old in hospital. Altogether
10 deaths occurred in premature babies, and 8 of them were in respect
of babies born in hospital or in a nursing home outside the District, and
before their discharge home. (Two of the babies were premature twins.)
These numbers suggest that 27 per cent, of the premature babies
died. Their deaths present a challenge to the ante-natal and hospital
services, but do not reflect ,on the special arrangements made locally for
the assistance of mothers with premature babies, which are referred to
later in this report.
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