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Premature Babies.
The number of premature babies born 1st January to 4th July,
whose mothers are normally resident in the district was 27. The
number born in the district irrespective of the home address was 88.
Of these, 72 were born in hospitals and nursing homes and 16 in private
houses. Details as to nursing and survival are as follows:—
The number of babies born at home—
(i) who were nursed entirely at home . 15
(ii) who died during the first 24 hours
(iii) who survived at the end of one month 15
The number of those born in hospital or nursing home—
(i) who died in the first 24 hours 5
(ii) who survived at the end of one month 67
The survival rate at one month of 93% for the first half of 1948
compares with 81% in 1947 and 86% in 1946.
Most of these premature births occurred in the St. Helier Hospital,
which provides maternity facilities not only for Carshalton, but for a
large part of Surrey. The 27 premature babies born to residents
represents 5.3% of the live births in the half year.
Special arrangements for the nursing of premature infant; re
established at the St. Helier Hospital, where incubators are installed
in air-conditioned nurseries. Removal to hospital is effected by
ambulance fitted with an electrically heated carrier.
Unmarried Mothers and Illegitimate Children.
Illegitimate births were less than 3% of the total in 1948, which is
the lowest percentage since 1941.
For the care of unmarried mothers and their babies, the Council's
service worked in co-operation with the Sutton and District Girls'
Aid Association. The Council contributed to the funds of the Association
and invariably accepted responsibility for the uncovered balance
of cost of treatment in Special Homes for such cases. Three unmarried
girls wrere assisted in this way by the Council during the first
six months of the year.
Consultant Service.
No call was received during the year for the services of a consultant,
which are available for the complications of labour and
pregnancy.
Emergency Maternity Unit.
The emergency maternity unit, based on the War Memorial
Hospital, was not used during 1948.
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