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Vital Statistics.
The following are the statistics for 1953 compared with those for England and Wales
which have been published by the Registrar General:-
For West Ham For England & Wales
Stillbirth rate per 1,000 total births 24,3 22.4
Infant Mortality rate per 1,000 live
births 29.I 26.8
Neonatal Death rate per 1,000 live births 19.1 17.7
Maternal Mortality rate per 1,000 live
births and stillbirths Nil 0.76
There has been a slight further decline in all three national rates relating to infant
life, but unfortunately the rates for West Ham all show an increase on the previous year.
The total infant deaths and stillbirths combined, are shown in the diagram on page 37
the number being 152 (82 deaths and 70 stillbirths).
The Registrar General's Classification of causes of deaths in infants under 1 year is
as follows
Measles 1
Nephritis and Nephrosis 1
Tuberculosis 1
Accidents 1
Bronchitis 1
Gastritis, Enteritis and Diarrhoea 9
Pneumonia 11
Congenital Malformations 15
Other Defined & 111 Defined Diseases 42
82
Of the 82 infant deaths, 54 occurred In infants who were under 4 weeks of age, and of
these infants 33 were premature.
Detailed information is available in respect of 52 the 54 deaths of infants under
4 weeks of age, and is shown in the following tabless:-
Age.
Under 12 hours 18 (of which 2 were 5 and 10 minutes respectively).
12 - 24 hours 5
1-7 days 19
1-2 weeks 6
2-3 weeks 3
3-4 weeks 1
Details not available 2
54
Weight.
Under 2 lbs. 6 )
2 lbs - 3 lbs. 10 ) These 33 come within the
3 lbs - 4 lbs. 7 ) definition of prematurity.
4 lbs - 5i lbs. 10 )
Over 5i lbs. 19
Details not available 2
54
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