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INFANT MORTALITY.
There were only 8 deaths registered of infants under one
year of age, giving an infant mortality rate of 10.1 per
thousand live births. This is the lowest rate ever recorded in
the area, and when one studies our figures for the past ten
years it is very gratifying to note the reduction of this rate
from 33.1 in 1945 to the present day figure.
Details of the causes of our infant deaths are given
below, and it will be seen that 50% of them were neo-natal
deaths. Only in one case was prematurity given as a contributory
cause of death—which fact in itself is a testimonial to
the care given to premature babies in these enlightened days.
There were 18 stillbirths registered—one more than in
1953-—giving a rate of 22.2, which is slightly higher than
usual.
A table giving the infant mortality and stillbirth rates
for the past ten years is given on page 21.