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It will be noted that the death rate, at 11.01, has, this year, exceeded
the birth rate, at 10.74 per 1,000 total population. Comment has been
made in previous reports since the war, on the continued fall in the birth
rate in this district and that of England and Wales as a whole. It is understood,
however, that this is the first time a birth rate has been recorded
lower than the death rate in any district.
The death rate showed a small rise in 1952, as compared with that for
the previous year, the figures being 11.01 and 10.47 respectively, per
1,000 total population. Deaths registered continued to be highest amongst
persons over the age of 65, the average age at death being in the 70's and
80's. The figures, in common with those for the rest of the country, show
a rise in the incidence of coronary thrombosis as a cause of death.
Diseases of the heart and circulatory system account for a very considerable
proportion.
Deaths were particularly high during the winter months of the year,
the greatest number being recorded in December. Many of these were
deaths from respiratory disease and associated with climatic conditions,
particularly the fog, which was prevalent during the last weeks of 1952.
From the table on page 16 it will be seen that deaths from all forms of
violence have shown an increase.
The maternal mortality rate per 1,000 total births is 5.49 as compared
with 0.72 for England and Wales. Some speculation is inevitable when
comparing this figure with that of Nil recorded for the previous five years.
The explanation is that the district has been credited with two deaths,
only one of which was a direct complication of childbirth, taking place
three weeks after the birth. The other was a death occurring in a London
hospital, in which the death certificate recorded toxaemia of pregnancy
as being a contributory cause. Enquiry showed that the person had not
been pregnant for the previous 15 years, but in the light of the wording of
the death certificate, the Registrar-General felt obliged to classify this as
a maternal death, even though 15 years had elapsed between the alleged
toxaemia and the death.
The infantile mortality rate was 16.67 per 1,000 live births in 1952.
The figures on which this rate is based were 6 infants, who died under the
age of 1 year, out of 360 live births. On page 17 will be found an analysis
of the causes of death.
This is a gratifying fall from the rate of 23.94 per 1,000 live births
recorded in 1951, and reflects credit on all persons, midwives, doctors and
others, engaged in midwifery and child welfare in the district.
It is interesting to note that a child born prematurely in St. Helier
Hospital, weighing only 1 lb. 14 oz., survived. Considerable attention has
been given in recent years to the care of premature infants, and this survival
reflects the enormous advances made in the treatment of such
children.
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