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
Kingston upon Thames 1947
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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14
(b) (ii) Infantile Mortality.
By the Infantile Mortality rate is meant the number
of deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births in
the same period.
The following are the numbers of Kingston children who died during 1947 in the Borough before reaching the age of one year, together with the cause of death and age:-
| Age | Total. | Cause of Death. |
|---|---|---|
| 0-24 hours | 3 | 2 Prematurity. |
| 1 Atelectasis. Birth Injury. Face Presentation. Contracted. | ||
| 24 hours - 1 month | 6 | 1 Broncho-pneumonia. |
| Enteritis. | ||
| 1 Empyema. Pneumonia. | ||
| Prematurity. Eclampsia of mother. | ||
| 1 Patent intra auricular septum. | ||
| 1 Intracranial haemorrhage. | ||
| 1 Fractured skull. Birth Injury. | ||
| 1 Meningocele. Spina Bifida. | ||
| 1 month - 1 year | 10 | 2 Gastro Enteritis. |
| 2 Broncho-pneumonia. | ||
| 1 Hydrocephalus. Meningocele. | ||
| Spina Bifida. | ||
| 1 Terminal pneumonia. Marasmus. | ||
| 1 Acute pyelonephritis of infancy. | ||
| 1 Acute bronchiolitis. | ||
| 1 Circulatory failure. | ||
| Infective enteritis. | ||
| 2. Broncho-pneumonia. Gastro enteritis |
The approximate infantile mortality rate for 1947 is as follows and, in addition, the rates for 1643 to 1946 (inclusive) are shown for comparative purposes:-
| 1943 | 1944 | 1945 | 1946 | 1947 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston-upon-Thames | 48 | 48 | 43 | 29 | 22 |
| England and Wales | 49 | 46 | 46 | 43 | 41 |
| London Area | 58 | 61 | 53 | 41 | 37 |
The infantile mortality rate of 22 is lower than the
rats of 29 for 1946. It is lower than any other infantile
mortality rate recorded for Kingston in the last fifteen years.
It is lower than the figure of 41 for England and Wales, and
lower than the figure of 37 for the London Administrative
County Area. This trend is satisfactory and is a measure of
the success of infant and maternal welfare practice.
Ophthalmia Neonatorum.
One case was notified during 1947. Special arrangements
have been made for the admission of serious cases to
Swanley L.C.C. Hospital, Kent, but it was not necessary to use
this service during the year.