London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Merton 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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INFANT DEATHS (Under 1 year)
| Principal certified causes of death | Age at Death | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 24 hours | Days | Months | ||||||||
| 1- 7 | 8-14 | 15-21 | 22-28 | 1- 3 | 3-6 | 6-9 | 9-12 | |||
| Prematurity | 12 | 7 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 20 |
| Congenital Malformations | 1 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 4 |
| Bronchopneumonia | — | - | — | — | - | 6 | 1 | - | - | 7 |
| Birth Injuries | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 4 |
| Other causes | 4 | 4 | 1 | - | - | - | 1 | - | - | 10 |
| Totals | 20 | 14 | 2 | - | " | 6 | 3 | 1 | 45 | |
INFANT MORTALITY
Of the 45 infant deaths, 34 occurred in the first seven days of
life. None of these was delivered at home.
The infant mortality rate of 15.53 and the neonatal mortality
rate of 12.91 per 1,000 live births compare satisfactorily with the
respective rates of 18.9 and 12.9 for England and Wales.
PERINATAL MORTALITY
The perinatal mortality rate for Merton was 22.44 per 1,000 live
and still-births thus comparing favourably with that for England and
Wales of 26.3.
19
MATERNAL MORTALITY
There were three maternal deaths during the year all of which
occurred in hospital. Details of these deaths are given below: —
Age at Cause of
death. Death. Remarks.
1. 20 yrs. Toxaemia: Septic in- Spinster: defendant convicted
fection of uterus, of manslaughter.
following illegal
instrument abortion.
2. 26 yrs. Amniotic fluid em- Married woman: died after
bolism. very of twins.
3. 37 yrs. Gas gangrene infec- Spinster: insufficient evidence of
tion due to septic circumstances. Open verdict,
abortion.