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VITAL STATISTICS. The stillbirth rate which was 22 stillbirths per 1,000 total
births, the infantile mortality rate of 27.7 deaths of infants under 1 year per 1,,000 live
births and the maternal mortality rate of 1.7 per 1,000 live and stillbirths, were a little
higher than last year,s record figures.
The comparable figures for England and Wales for 1950 were as follows:- stillbirth
rate 22,6 stillbirths per 1,000 total births* infantile mortality rate 29.8 deaths of
infants under 1 year per l.000 live births5 and maternal mortality rate 0.86 per 1.000 live
and stillbirths.
The total number of infant deaths and stillbirths combined remain nearly the same as
in the previous year (145 against 144 in 1949) the reduction in the number of births has
caused the rate to be higher. The proportions in which the various causes contributed to
these infant deaths showed little change from last year and the increase can, therefore, be
regarded as one of those fluctuations which occur from time to time in the course of a
general downward trend of the rate. It should be borne in mind,, however, that the rate is
now so low that it must be approaching a level which, in the present state of medical
knowledge, would be an irreducible minimum. While it may be hoped; therefore, that the
downward trend will continue for some years to come, the pace at which the fall is taking
place is likely to become slower as time goes by and no further improvement of a dramatic
nature can be expected* The diagram overleaf shows the infantile deaths and stillbirths
over the past twenty-three years *
The number of maternal deaths were materially increased this year and an analysis
of their causes will repay some consideration There were six in all and details are
listed below:-
1. Died 9.3.50 Internal haemorrhage due to ruptured ectopic pregnancy,
in hospital.
2. Died 23.3.-50 Toxaemia following acute peritonitis and caesarian
in hospital. section for difficult labour,
3. Died 3.4.50 Amniotic Embolism due to spontaneous rupture of
in hospital* uterus in childbirth.
Died 18.6.50 Septicaemia due to septic abortion,
in hospital.
5. Died 7.12.50 Pulmonary Embolism due to pelvic and femoral phlebo
at home. thrombosis following childbirth.
6. Died 22.12.50 Shock and haemorrhage from instrumental abortion
at home. induced by herself.
It will be seen that cases 1, 4 and 6 died at a stage of pregnancy long before the
time of childbirth and are regarded as maternal deaths only because their causes are included
in this category for the purpose of the Registrar General's statistical returns
In only one of them, indeed, is it certain that death arose from a direct risk of pregnancy
Thus, there remain three cases in which death was due to maternity as ordinarily understood
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