View report page

47
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
Births.—By the Public Health Act, 1936, all live births and stillbirths
of seven months and over must be notified to the Medical Officer of Health
within 36 hours. The number of live births notified under this Act during
1946 was 2,661 (1,425 males and 1,236 females). Of these, 207 (101 males
and 106 females) took place in Ilford, the ordinary place of residence of the
parents being outside the district.
In addition, 899 notifications of birth (464 males and 435 females) which
took place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of the parents
is in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
During the year, 26 cases in which there was default in complying
with the requirements of the Public Health Aot relating to the Notification
of Births were referred to the Town Clerk.
The percentage of live births occurring in Ilford. notified by the various
responsible persons, was as follows:—
By Medical Practitioners 3.27
By Certified Midwives 94.40
By Parents and Others 2.33
In addition, 78 stillbirths (43 males and 35 females) were notified.
The notifications of 18 stillbirths (8 males and 10 females) which took
place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of the parents is in
Ilford, were transferred to this district.
Care of Premature Infants.—Of the 2,661 live births occurring in
Ilford during 1946, 149 weighed 5½ lbs. or less at birth; 66 of these babies
were born at home and 83 in Hospital (including 8 in a Private Nursing
Home).
The number of those born at home:—
(i) who were nursed entirely at home 66
(ii) who died during the first 24 hours 5
(iii) who survived at the end of one month 52
The number of those born in Hospital:—
(i) who died during the first 24 hours 17
(ii) who survived at the end of one month 59
Owing to existing conditions it has not been possible to implement any
of the following recommendations made by the Ministry of Health in their
Circular No. 20/44, dated 22nd March, 1944:—
(а) Provision of suitable equipment in the home.
(b) Supply of expressed breast milk where this is necessary.
. (c) Giving of particular attention to babies by Midwives or Health
Visitors, preferably with special training and experience with
premature infants.
(d) Services of Home Help specifically for this type of case.
(e) Admission of selected cases to Institutions where special care
is appropriate to such cases.
(f) Special form of transport for the conveyance of infants to
Hospital.
Dr. I. M. Anderson has been appointed as Consultant Paediatrician to
the Council's Maternity Home, and he also attends a fortnightly Clinic
at these offices. Details of the cases seen at the Clinic are given on page 55.
Infant Mortality.—The number of infants dying within the first year
of life was 102, the total number born being 3,443. The latter figure is
supplied by the Registrar-General for calculating infant and maternal
mortality rates. The infant mortality, or rate of deaths per 1,000 live
births, was, therefore 29.6, the lowest figure ever recorded in Ilford.
Neonatal Mortality.—The death-rate of infants under four weeks of
age is known as the Neonatal Mortality. There were 74 deaths of infants
under four weeks of age during 1946 and the rate for the year was 21.5 per
1.000 live births. The deaths of infants under one month increased from
49 during 1945 to 74 during 1946.
The following table gives the deaths of infants under one year of ago,
classified according to age.