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66
CARE OF PREMATURE INFANTS
The action suggested in Circular 20/44 (as amended by Circular
LHAL 1/49) has been carried out as far as possible and the
steps taken were detailed in the Report for 1944. During 1954, 80
live premature infants were born to residents of the Borough, 18
at home and 62 in hospitals and nursing homes.
Of the 18 born at home, 6 were transferred to hospital. Of
the remaining 12 who were nursed entirely at home, eleven survived
the first twenty-eight days of life, and one died two days
after birth.
The routine supervision consists of the following:—
(1) After the 14th day infants are visited weekly by the
Health Visitor if remaining at home, or on discharge
from hospital and until they attain average weight.
(2) Weekly Welfare attendances are made, if the condition
of the infant allows.
(3) The report on premature infants i.e., as to nursing and
survival within 28 days is completed at the end of the
first month.
CARE OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN
The action taken under Circular 2866/44 is fully set out
in the Report for that year.
Every possible step has, as in previous years, been taken to
ensure that the care of illegitimate children does not fall below
that given to children who are legitimate. The figures quoted
below give a comparison between illegitimate and legitimate rates