INFANT DEATH RATE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1930, Page 3

INFANT DEATH RATE

DOMINION’S PROUD POSITION. PRE-NATAL PROBLEMS PERSIST. Figures over a period of years given by Mr. Malcolm Fraser, Government Statistician, speaking at Wadestown last week, referring to New Zealand’s splendid record of the lowest infant death rate in the world, were interpreted by him as suggesting that there was still much work to be done in saving babies during the first few days of their lives. New Zealand, said Mr. Fraser/ properly prided herself on having the lowest infant death rates in the world and to have led the way in regard to the treatment of infant diseases. The splendid position was attributable partly to such matters as climate, virility of race, comparative absence of large industrial undertakings, and slum areas, and partly to legislative and educative measures both by the State and by private organisations; particularly did New Zealand owe a debt of gratitude to Sir Truby King and his Plunket societies. The rate of infant mortality had fallen from 93.33 in 1880 to 34.10. “No doubt an extraordinary drop,” said Mr. Fraser, “but when all the factors are taken into account it may be that the position is not quite as good as it looks, although the improvement lias been very real indeed?’

He went on to say that it was only since 1914 that the law required the registration of still-births, and consequently there was a record of them only since then. “It is very disquieting, however, to observe that during that period of observation they have shown a considerable steady increase. Were these included, tlierefore, v in computing the infant death-rate, as. I think indeed they should, the position is very considerably affected. The rate for 1914 would be 73.58 instead of 51.38, and for 1929 it would be 64:53 instead of 34.10. Instead of the rate showing a reduction from 1914 to 1929 of 33.63 per cent., the reduction would be only 12.30 per.' cent. ,

“The fact that still-births appear to be on the increase'is something-to give rise to serious thought. In these figures we have dealth with deaths under one year, but if deaths under one month are taken, the effect of the inclusion of still-births is seen. even more clearly, Instead of a rate of 28.87 in 1914, we have a rate of 51.59, and in 1929 54.02 instead of 23.26. Thus instead of a decline of 19.43 per cent, we should show an increase of 4.71 per cent. The increase in still-births in 1929 over 1914 was 28.13 per cent.” Referring to further facts given in graph form, Mr. ’ Fraser said that one was immediately struck by the fact that the improvement effected had taken place in the deaths of infants over one month and under 12 months, while fates for deaths under one month had been practically constant over the whole period since 1880, though there had been a slight improvement since 1923, largely due, he believed, to the increased attention directed to the pre-birth care of the mother, through Karitane Hospital work, etc. Causes coming under the heading of early infancy (mainly premature births) and malformations showed a tendency to increase. These 'were all prenatal causes, and explained why so little improvement had taken place in deaths under one month. Obviously, treatment of the child after birth would have little or no effect on causes which had their origin long before. What he particularly desired to emphasise was the importance and tremendous influence of those early period deaths on infant death rates, and the close association between them and the still-birth. “May not the same factors be the principal causes for the increase in both, and does not the position call for a closer examination and inquiry into the social habits and customs of our civilisation?”

Statistics' clearly showed, he added, that unwanted illegitimate children had a much less chance of life than' their legitimate brothers, and he asked: “May it be that the character of the welcome awaiting it and the preparations or practices anticipating its arrival are also affecting the chances of the legitimate child?” Of the total deaths under one year, during the last nine years, continued Mr. Fraser, 65.59 occurred in the first month, 50.38 in the first week, in the first two days 29.99, and 20.77 in the first day. The percentages of deaths in shorter periods had steadily increased, as was also the case with still-births. The older periods were being 'saved increasingly, consequently increasing the proportion dying in the earlier periods. “Thus clearly our problem is whatoccurs prior to birth,” concluded Mr. Fraser. “It can -be seen that what are classed as early infancy, congenital debility, premature birth, injury, at birth, lack of care, and other diseases peculiar to early infancy, and malformations accounts for the great majority of deaths, and they are the ones on which the attack should be concentrated if further progress is to be made.” ..