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By infantile mortality is meant the deaths of infants before they are twelve
months old
The infantile mortality in towns is higher than in rural districts, although at
birth, according to the Registrar General, the town infant is almost as healthy as
the rural; and during the first month of life, during which over one-third of the
total infant mortality occurs, the town or urban excess is usually only about 8 per
cent. During the first three months of life, the town or urban excess is only 11.6
per cent, higher than the rural death-rate, while in the next three months it is
43 per cent., and in the second half of infancy 67 per cent, higher in the urban than
in the rural districts. This greater excess in the later months is due to the greater
prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in town than in country districts.
Among the influences affecting infant mortality, according to Dr. Newsholme
of the Local Government Board, are the following:—
(1) The proportion of male to female births. Male infants always suffer from
a higher death rate than female infants, and this excessive mortality
persists throughout the rest of life except at the ages of 5 to 15, when
boys and girls are equal in their freedom from the causes of death. In
1911 and 1912, there were over 6 per cent, more male births than female
in the Borough of Stepney, but in 1910 there was an excess of female
births, which is the only exception during the last 11 years.
(2) The proportion of legitimate to illegitimate births. The death-rate
among illegitimate children is twice that of children born in wedlock.
(3) The size of the family. It is stated that moderately small families
conduce to low infant mortality, although it is well-known that the deathrate
is higher among the first-born than among subsequent infants, and
large families, should therefore on an average have a slightly lower inlant
death-rate. Large families are, however, most common among the
poorest, who live under conditions unfavourable to child life.
(4) The number of still births.
(5) The quality of the help given at birth. Want of skilled care at birth
may bear an important part in the number of deaths from accidents of
child-birth.
(6) The age of the mother. Excessive infant mortality is often ascribable in
part to too early motherhood, with its associated inexperience and possible
carelessness.
(7) Poverty and social condition. Infant mortality is higher among the poor
and lowest among the well-to-do.