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
Shoreditch 1934
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]
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21
MATERNAL MORTALITY
The number of Shoreditch women whose deaths were primarily classified as
due to childbirth during the year was 1. This gives a maternal mortality rate per
1,000 live births of 0.69, and per 1,000 total births (i.e., still births included) of 0-66.
The corresponding figures for the County of London were 2-48 and 240.
In addition to this death three deaths occurred as a result of conditions which
were associated with pregnancy and childbearing, but which were not classifiable
as maternal deaths. The particulars of these deaths, classified according to age
and cause, are given in the table on page 22.
For purposes of comparison the maternal mortality rates per 1,000 live births in England and Wales, London and Shoreditch, during the year 1934 and four preceding years are given as follows:—
| England and Wales. | London. | Shoreditch. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year. | Deaths from Sepsis. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. | Deaths from Sepsis. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. | Deaths from Sepsis. | Deaths from other diseases and accidents of Pregnancy. | Total. |
| 1930 | 1.84 | 2.38 | 4.22 | 171 | 1.45 | 3.16 | 2.01 | 1.51 | 3 52 |
| 1931 | 1.59 | 2.36 | 3.95 | 2.02 | 1.78 | 3.80 | 0.00 | 1.78 | 1.78 |
| 1932 | 1.55 | 2.49 | 4.04 | 1.19 | 1.47 | 2.64 | *0.60 | 1.79 | 2.39 |
| 1933 | 1.79 | 2.63 | 4.42 | 1.48 | 1.72 | 3.20 | 2.68 | 1.34 | 4.02 |
| 1934 | 2.03 | 2.57 | 4.60 | 1.18 | 1.30 | 2.48 | 0.00 | 0.69 | 0.69 |
* This figure relates to one death from post abortive sepsis.
It should be noted that the single death which occurred was due to a primary
condition which was unavoidable. The low maternal mortality rate for the year
is very satisfactory.