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
Wimbledon 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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Increasing importance is being paid to perinatal mortality as although
perinatal deaths form only 3 to 4 per cent of all births, perinatal deaths
account for eighty per cent of the total loss of infant life from the twentyeighth
week of pregnancy to the end of the first year of life. The most
promising way to reduce infant mortality is by concentrating on the prevention
of perinatal deaths.
The following table shows the cause of the 17 infant deaths which occurred during 1960, together with the age at death.
| Cause of death | Under 1 week | 2-3 weeks | Total under 4 weeks | 1-3 months | 3-6 mcnths | 6-9 months | Total deaths under 1 year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Congenital defect or birth injury | 5 | – | 5 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Inattention at birth | 1 | – | ] | – | – | – | 1 |
| Prematurity and atelectasis | 3 | – | 3 | – | – | – | 3 |
| iinbryorna of liver | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Pneumonia | 3 | – | 3 | – | 1 | – | 4 |
| Accidental death | – | – | – | – | – | 1 | 1 |
| Acute nephritis | – | – | – | 1 | – | – | 1 |
| Pyelonephritis | – | 1 | 1 | – | – | – | 1 |
| Totals | 12 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 |
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