London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Leyton 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]

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In the four years 1958 to 1961 44 premature babies were born at home. The following table reveals the type of cases we have:-

Birth Weight5-5% lbs4-5 lbs3-4 lbs2-3 lbs2-1 lbsNot Weighed
Number3091211
Survived at least 4 weeks3081100
Age at death.-20 mins.-10 hours17 hours2 hours
Place of death-Home-HospitalHospitalHome

There were 4 deaths among the 44. The one which died in 20 minutes was an encephalic
and death was inevitable; the infant not weighed was so small and excessively premature
that it was not considered fit to be removed to hospital. The baby which died at 10 hours
was one of twins who were born at home and removed to hospital, one of whom survived;
the one which died at 17 hours had been born at home. No reason for the premature
births was found in these three cases.
These figures did not appear to warrant the provision of a nurse specially trained
to care for premature babies as she would not have had enough cases in any year to
justify her appointment nor would the flying squad have had sufficient work to justify
itself either. The majority of premature babies are capable of being dealt with by the
midwives and extra care can be given by supplying the mother with domestic help where
necessary.
MISCARRIAGES
The domiciliary midwife carries out work which rarely receives recognition in
official reports. She attends cases of miscarriages which are dealt with by the general
practitioner at home.
During the last three years (1959 to 1961) 29 cases of miscarriage were attended
and 171 visits were paid to them.
(46)