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
East Ham 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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28
PREMATURE BIRTHS
Number of live premature infants notified
during the year (including transferred
notifications) whose mothers normally
reside in the area: -
(1) born at home 17
(2) born in hospital
or nursing home 77
Total premature births for the past three years:-
| 1953 | 1954 | 1955 |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | 84 | 94 |
The percentage increase in the number of premature births over last year is significant
as an index to the persistence of the two problems of toxaemia of pregnancy and antepartum
haemorrhage
Reference has already been made to the desirability of a concentrated attack on these
two persistent and apparently ineluctable causes of infant mortality.
Of course we must continue with our measures which ensure the greatest chance of
survival of premature infants but should ever have before us the real solution those
ante natal practices yet to be determined which will deal with the primary causes of
prematurity