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49
MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE
Births.—In accordance with the provisions of 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 1947 was 2,704 (1,400 males and 1,364 females).
Of these, 243 (118 males and 125 females) took place in Ilford, the ordinary
place of residence of the parents being outside the district.
In addition, 882 notifications of birth (483 males and 399 females) which
took place outside the district, although the ordinary residence of the parents
i:; in Ilford, were transferred to this district.
During the year, 30 cases in which there was default in complying with
the requirements of the Public Health Act 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 2.57
By Certified Midwives 94.61
By Parents and Others 2.82
In addition, 71 stillbirths (34 males and 37 females) were notified
The notifications of 12 stillbirths (6 males and 6 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 2,764 live births occurring in Ilford
during 1947, 163 weighed 5½ lbs. or less at birth; 55 0; these babies were born
at home and 108 in Hospital (including 16 in Private Nursing Homes).
The number of those born at home:—
(i) who were nursed entirely at home 54
(ii) who died during the first 24 hours 2
(iii) who survived at the end of one month 50
The number of those born in Hospital:—
(i) who died during the first 24 hours 10
(ii) who survived at the end of one month 94
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:—
(a) 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 is the 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 56.
Infant Mortality.—The number of infants dying within the first year
of life was 82, the total number born being 3,368. 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
24.3, 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 51 deaths of infants under
four weeks of age during 1947 and the rate for the year was 15.1 per 1,000
live births. The deaths of infants under one month decreased from 74 during
1946 to 51 during 1947.
The following table gives the deaths of infants under one year of age,
classified according to age.