INFANT DEATH-KATE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 25, 29 July 1933, Page 5

INFANT DEATH-KATE

A STEADY DECLINE

'f To those actively working in the field of infant welfare, probably the most encouraging development of the last few years has been the steady decline in the deaths of infants under the age of one month," states Dr. T. F. Corkill, honorary medical officer to the Truby King Karitane Hospital, in his annual report, which with the annual Teport of the Wellington Branch of the Plunket Society will be presented at the annual meeting on August 1.

For many years, states Dr. Corkill, the fact.that no appreciable diminution in the deaths.in this period had been noted was a challenge to the medical and, nursing professions and an incentive to.further effort. "Signs are not wanting, however, that'the challenge is now being successfully met; and in this notable advance the Karitane hospitals, and the influence of their teaching in other hospitals, have played a very prominent part. Over the whole' of'the Dominion the first-month deathTate has steadily fallen from 30 per thousand births to 23 per thousand (1932). The reduction is even more striking in those cases in which the' opportunities for infant earc are particularly good. In Wellington, for instance, where the maternity hospitals are- keenely interested in this matter, and where the Truby King Karitane Hospital;is available to assist, the neonatal death-rate is down to about 15 per thousand. As has been frequently pointed out, the. successful care of the premature baby is, more than any other single factor, responsible for this improvement. During the year too, we have had many more striking after-his-tories'of. premature babies brought to our notice, examples which entirely ■refute the idea that these babies grow up: to-be weaklings."