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Of the 5 born at home all were admitted to hospital.
The 3 newborn are those in respect of whom the birth weights and places of birth
and death are unknown, and as previously mentioned their bodies were found within the area
of the Borough.
The proportion of neonatal deaths was much the same whether the babies were born at
home or in hospital} and the greater number of these deaths among the hospital babies is
due to the high percentage of babies born in hospital.
Deaths of children aged 1-5.
An increasing interest is being taken in the deaths of children in this age group,
as this is now being regarded as a very sensitive index of the general health and social
wellbeing of a community.
There were 5 deaths in children of this age group (1 - 5) in West Ham, 3 of which
were due to malignant and lymphatic neoplasms, 1 to heart disease, and 1 to a road
acc ident.
The importance of malignant and lymphatic disease as a cause of death in children
has recently become prominent throughout the country, and research into its origin is
now being planned.
Maternal Deaths.
The maternal mortality rate for West Ham is lower than the national rate.
There was one maternal death. The cause was certified as Acute Eclampsia. The
patient booked a General Practitioner Obstetrician and a midwife to attend her confinement,
but she did not attend a municipal ante-natal clinic. Later she was referred to hospital
and was advised immediate admission, but she refused. She was subsequently admitted to
hospital in a very serious condition.
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