Infant death linked to social conditions

Press, 11 June 1987, Page 20

Infant death linked to social conditions

PA Dunedin New Zealand’s infant mortality rate will .not decrease until steps are taken to improve conditions at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, according a two-year study of infant deaths in Auckland.

The study found that 80 of the 134 infant deaths examined resulted from cot deaths or sudden infant death syndrome (5.1.D.5.), said a report in the “New Zealand Medical Journal.”

In 90 per cent of the S.I.D.S. cases mothers were young, Maori, of low socio-economic status, lived in poor accommodation, had frequent changes of address, and smoked during, pregnancy. Other repetitive factors were the previous incidence of post-neo-natal death in the family or a cot-death victim and the provision of poor antena-

tai care. Cot-death victims were frequently male with a low birth weight and poor weight gain.

Of the other deaths, congenital anomalies accounted for 24 (18 per cent), infection 9 (7 per cent), and 8 (6 per cent) died from problems arising in the perinatal period. The study, by Drs E. A. Mitchell, community pediatrician for the Health Department, I. B. Hassall, medical director of the Plunket Society, and D. M. O. Becroft, a pathologist at Princess Mary Hospital for Children, in Auckland, was conducted by the Auckland regional post-natal mortality review committee. The committee audits local health practices and services and contributes to national data on circumstances and causes of death. >

The report said the committee identified a

number of problems in the Auckland region which might be applicable to other areas of New Zealand.

“It is important that all regions undertake mortality review through such committees and that information from them is shared.

“However, until a case control study is made, it is unlikely that the significance of the notable factors that each committee identifies will be established.

“Based on the Auckland experience it is unlikely that big improvements in the national post-neo-natal mortality rate will occur until there are improvements, especially at the bottom of the socio-econo-mic ladder, in areas such as knowledge of child care, housing, use of health services and high smoking rates,” the report said.