London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Leyton 1933
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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112
The infant deaths in 1933 were 13 less in number than in 1932.
The high proportion of deaths under four weeks (47 out of 76)
demonstrates the importance of measures for the reduction of
neo-natal mortality.
In 1927 the Borough of Leyton was awarded the first prize
(see page 28, 1928 Annual Report) for the greatest percentage reduction
in the neo-natal mortality rate during the previous year.
At that time no special effort had been made to effect a reduction
in neo-natal mortality. There were in the Borough at that time
two ante-natal clinics—one of which had been established in 1926 ;
but no effort was then being made to follow up the cases, and many
of the expectant mothers had made only one attendance at an
ante-natal clinic.
Neo-natal Mortality (Report by Dr. Menzies).
Stillbirth as a Factor in Neo-natal Mortality.
It will be seen from the following figures that the Neo-natal death rate
in Leyton during the last five years has fluctuated considerably.
It ought to be studied in conjunction with the rise and fall in the number of births and the birth rates in the years under review.
| Year. | No. of Births. | Increase or Decrease over Previous Year. | Birth Rate. | Deaths under 4 Weeks. | Neo-natal Death Rate. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 1,731 | —122 | 13.4 | 54 | 31.19 |
| 1930 | 1,757 | +26 | 13.69 | 48 | 27.32 |
| 1931 | 1,812 | +56 | 14.09 | 38 | 20.97 |
| 1932 | 1,666 | —146 | 13.1 | 51 | 30.61 |
| 1933 | 1,499 | —168 | 11.91 | 47 | 31.35 |
It probably ought also to be studied in conjunction with the still births, as there is little cause for congratulation in having fewer neo-natal deaths if the number of stillbirths is correspondingly greater.
| Year. | Neo-natal Death Rate. | Infant Mortality Rate. | No. of Deaths under 4 Weeks. | No. of Deaths under 1 Year. | No. of Stillbirths. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 31.19 | 57.77 | 54 | 100 | 53 |
| 1930 | 27.32 | 46.09 | 48 | 81 | 81 |
| 1931 | 20.97 | 39.18 | 38 | 71 | 59 |
| 1932 | 30.61 | 53.42 | 51 | 89 | 58 |
| 1933 | 31.35 | 50.73 | 47 | 76 | 48 |
1929.—An analysis of the details available concerning the 53 stillbirths
notified in Leyton in 1929 emphasised the relationship between foetal and
neo-natal deaths. In 14 cases there was evidence that the death of the
fœtus was intra-natal ; and in 12 other cases the foetus was prematurely
born. As regards the 54 neo-natal deaths, 24 were certified as due to
" prematurity " and 4 to " injury at birth."