View report page

OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM.
Seventeen cases of ophthalmia neonatorum were notified to
the Medical Officer of Health during 1933, of whom one was born
in an institution in the Borough, but was non-resident in West
Ham.
Of this total number, only three were treated in hospital, the
remaining fourteen being attended at home by a private doctor
or being taken daily to a hospital out patient department. A
Health Visitor visits the home weekly—or oftener if necessary—
until the condition of the eyes is satisfactory.
Number
Notified
17*
Cases Treated
At Home
14
in hospital
3
Vision
Unimpaired
17
Vision
Impaired
0
Total
Blindness
0
Deaths
0
*Of whom one was non-resident in the Borough.
Maternal Mortality.
Total number of births notified in West Ham in 1933 was
5,835, of whom 4,406 occurred amongst residents in the Borough.
The number of women who died from complications of pregnancy
or childbirth, was eight, giving a maternal mortality rate
of 1.8 per 1,000, compared with 4.4 per 1,000 for England and
Wales.
I he cause of death was puerperal sepsis in five cases, the
remaining three being due to other complications of pregnancy.
A detailed report is furnished to the Ministry of Health in regard
to every maternal death.
I he average age of death amongst these mothers was 28.9
years.
61