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13
Infant Mortality
The infant mortality rate is the ratio of the number of infant deaths
under one year of age per thousand born in the year. It has for long
been accepted as an index of the healthiness of a community, being
influenced by so many of the factors which affect the health of the
population. The marked fall in this rate, a fall from a figure of about
150 in the early years of the century to about 23 in 1957 in the country
as a whole, the lowest yet reached, has been largely the result of a reduction
in those deaths which occurred in those who have survived one month
or even one week, a fall brought about by an improvement in environmental
conditions. With the elimination of so many of these deaths, the
rate is no longer the index that it was, though it is probably still true that
the rates are higher in those districts where environmental conditions are
not satisfactory. Most of the infant deaths were amongst those born in
hospitals who had never left them.
Last year 39 infants living in this district or born to mothers
ordinarily resident here died under one year of age. In the same year
2,783 infants were born. The infant mortality rate therefore was 14-0.
The rate for the country as a whole was 23, the lowest ever recorded.
The numbers of these deaths have fallen, not steadily but in jumps.
The figures for 1947 and 1948 were 92 and 93. Those in the next four
years were 64, 39, 62 and 62. Then followed three years with figures of
46,46 and 49. In 1956 it rose to 59; this was due primarily to an increased
number who did not survive one week, and in fact most had not left the
hospitals in which they had been born. This year's figure nearly equals the
lowest that had been recorded for this district, which was in 1950. But
whereas in that year this was recognised as being a flash in the pan, it
can be expected that this year's smaller figure is an indication of a gradual
general improvement.
Of these 39 deaths, 27 occurred in infants under one month old.
The neo-natal rate therefore was 9-7, comprising 70 per cent, of the
infant mortality rate. The mothers of all but three of these infants were
confined in institutions. Ten of these babies failed to survive 24 hours.
A further 11 died before they were a week old. Six of the deaths occurred
in those who had survived one week but failed to reach one month of
age. Three of these babies were born in hospital. The other three were
the only infants amongst those who failed to reach one month of age
whose mothers were confined in their own homes. All three of these
deaths were the result of congenital developmental abnormalities.
Of the 27 neo-natal deaths, prematurity was a factor in 12, in four
of them twin pregnancies. Six fatalities were the result of congenital
developmental abnormality.
The number of infants who survived one month but failed to survive
twelve months was 12. Of these nine failed to reach the age of three
months. At this age the effect of prematurity and congenital defects is
essening (only one death from developmental abnormalities), but the
1 ections (one death) are starting, and chest complaints (seven deaths)
are mounting.