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Of these deaths of West Ham Infants only 21 appear in the Registrar General's
return as deaths due to prematurity, but in fact 34 out of a total of 78 Infant deaths
occurred In premature Infants who died within the first month®
The babies born in hospital present the greater problem because they are inevitably
the larger group and the most delicate babies.
During the coming year it is hoped to assist the midwives by the provision of special
equipment which will be available, on loan, for use In the care of the babies in their own
homes. The Council has approved the provision of this equipment which was advised by the
Ministry in Circular 20/44 and which includes such things ass- draught proof cots with
detachable linings, warm and suitable clothing, hot water bottles, special feeding bottles,
thermometers, etc.
The provision of a special premature Baby Unit at a hospital within the area would be
of great value. It might well form part of a co-operative scheme between hospital and public
health services for the care of the premature infant, the hospital unit taking the most delicate
of the premature babies born in any of the maternity units or in their own homes within the
Borough. Other premature babies could be nursed at home (either from birth or on discharge
from the maternity unit) with the aid of a specialised service provided by the Council. It is
to be hoped that some such arrangement may come under early consideration.
The large proportion of infant deaths attributable to prematurity Is a feature of the
national as well as of the local statistics and any reduction in this figure would probably be
accompanied by a reduction in the still births. Such a reduction might be achieved in two
ways:-
(1) by increasing the number of premature babies who survive.
(2) by reducing the number of babies born prematurely.
The ways in which we hope to attain the first objective have already been indicated.
The incompleteness of our knowledge of the causes of prematurity makes it difficult to attempt
the second with any certainty of success.
The evidence which is gradually accumulating points to three main factors which influence
the incidence of prematurity:
(1) the provision of early and regular ante-natal care.
(2) the standard of the mother's nutrition.
(3) the age of the mother and spacing of the family.
It would seem, therefore, that the most hopeful method of approach would be through
patient and continued education of the mothers, so that they will take full advantage of all
the facilities already available.
DAY NURSERIES. The five Day Nurseries continued to function until the 12th August,
1949, when Osborne Road Nursery was transferred to the Education Department and re-opened as
a Nursery School. The other four Nurseries were still operating at the end of the year.
The Council is fortunate in having senior and experienced Matrons and Deputy Matrons,
most of whom have been in the Council's service for a considerable number of years.
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