Infantile Mortality Research Articles

PREGNANCY AND KYPHOSCOLIOTIC HEART DISEASE

Abstract Seven patients with kyphoscoliosis complicating pregnancy are presented. The incidence of this complication at the New York Lying-In Hospital is 0.01 per cent. The maternal mortality was zero and the infantile mortality, based on eight viable babies, was 12.5 per cent. The cardiac and obstetric physiology is discussed.

Pregnancy and kyphoscoliotic heart disease

Seven patients with kyphoscoliosis complicating pregnancy are presented. The incidence of this complication at the New York Lying-In Hospital is 0.01 per cent. The maternal mortality was zero and the infantile mortality, based on eight viable babies, was 12.5 per cent. The cardiac and obstetric physiology is discussed.

A SURVEY OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE CONCEPTS OF CORONARY DISEASE AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Article1 November 1947A SURVEY OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CONCERNING THE CONCEPTS OF CORONARY DISEASE AND ITS MANAGEMENTLOUIS N. KATZ, M.D., F.A.C.P.LOUIS N. KATZ, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-27-5-705 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptCoronary disease is one of the most important diseases afflicting mankind. As the medical profession has reduced infantile mortality, improved sanitation, developed antibiotics and learned to deal with epidemic diseases, there has been a constant shift towards an increase in the frequency of degenerative diseases, like hypertension, arteriosclerosis, cancer, and their sequelae. Arteriosclerosis is thus becoming an ever growing problem and it will continue to grow in importance as the population becomes older. Arteriosclerosis is not a matter of aging, though it is more common in the elderly. It is a disease which affects not only old people, but also... This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Chicago, Illinois*Morning Lecture, Twenty-Eighth Annual Session, American College of Physicians, Chicago, May 1, 1947.From the Cardiovascular Department, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago. This department is supported in part by the Michael Reese Research Foundation. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byChanges in bradykinin level in coronary sinus blood after the experimental occlusion of a coronary arteryTHE DESIGN OF PROPER EXPERIMENTS TO INVESTIGATE CLINICAL ANGINA PECTORIS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE DETERMINANTS OF CORONARY FLOW IN CONSIDERING THERAPY OF ANGINA PECTORISPriscoline in the therapy of dysmenorrheaTransfusion Treatment of Shock Due to Myocardial InfarctionCervical Vagus—Sympathetic Block in Pulmonary EmbolismCardiac painThe dynamics of muscle tonus and its relationship to circulatory failure Part III 1 November 1947Volume 27, Issue 5Page: 705-722KeywordsAgingAntibioticsElderlyHypertensionMortalitySanitation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 November 1947 PDF downloadLoading ...

DISCUSSION ON INFANTILE MORTALITY : THE PREVENTIVE ASPECTS. (a) Infantile Mortality : The Size and Nature of the Problem, by D. GORDON EVANS, M.B., B.S., Nuffield Fellow in Social Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, Oxford, and W. T. RUSSELL, D.SC., F.S.S., Statistician, Institute of Social Medicine, Oxford

DISCUSSION ON INFANTILE MORTALITY : THE PREVENTIVE ASPECTS. (a) Infantile Mortality : The Size and Nature of the Problem, by D. GORDON EVANS, M.B., B.S., Nuffield Fellow in Social Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, Oxford, and W. T. RUSSELL, D.SC., F.S.S., Statistician, Institute of Social Medicine, Oxford

(b) Infantile Mortality : The Administrative and Sociological Aspects, by J. TUDOR LEWIS, M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer of Health, West Bromwich

(b) Infantile Mortality : The Administrative and Sociological Aspects, by J. TUDOR LEWIS, M.D., D.P.H., Medical Officer of Health, West Bromwich

Discussion on Infantile Mortality : The Clinical Aspects. (a) Opening Paper, by CHARLES McNEIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P. (EDIN. & LOND.), Professor Emeritus, Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh

Discussion on Infantile Mortality : The Clinical Aspects. (a) Opening Paper, by CHARLES McNEIL, M.A., M.D., F.R.C.P. (EDIN. & LOND.), Professor Emeritus, Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh

Infantile mortality in Budapest in the year 1945: As reflected by the material of the Children's Clinic of the University

Infantile mortality in Budapest in the year 1945: As reflected by the material of the Children's Clinic of the University

CAUSES OF INFANTILE SUMMER DIARRHEA

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUMMER DIARRHEA AS A CAUSE OF INFANTILE MORTALITY Situated between the thirtieth and the thirty-fifth parallel of latitude in the southern hemisphere, Uruguay is in the temperate zone, and its climate is comparable to that of the European shore of the Mediterranean. The incidence of various diseases is similar to that of other countries in the same latitude, and such diseases as malaria, yellow fever and typhus are not known to occur in this country. Infantile mortality in the first year of life is approximately 10 per cent, and this percentage is one of the lowest infantile mortality rates in South America. According to Schiaffino,1it decreased very little from 1895 to 1935—from 11 to 9 per cent. Bauza,2comparing the number of deaths in 1926 and in 1935, found a mortality of 9.34 and 10.19 per cent, respectively, for those years. With a population

The differential diagnosis of infantile beriberi

Abstract 1. 1. The protean manifestations of infantile beriberi are discussed. It is suggested that their appearance and nature are determined by the localization and concentration of toxic metabolites. 2. 2. The frequent appearance of secondary diseases, mostly affecting the respiratory tract, is discussed. The oedematous condition of the respiratory organs is given as the probable main reason for such complications. 3. 3. A number of diseases with similar symptoms are considered and the differential diagnosis discussed. 4. 4. Some of the causes of widespread maternal B 1 avitaminosis and its effect on infantile mortality are mentioned.

Infantile Mortality and Bacteriologic Investigations of the Effect of Prolonged Labor on the Baby

Infantile Mortality and Bacteriologic Investigations of the Effect of Prolonged Labor on the Baby

The causes of fetal and neonatal mortality

1.1. The study is concerned with a report of 1,000 fetal deaths occurring among 25,823 deliveries at New York Hospital and the Sloane Hospital for Women. On the basis of live births, the gross fetal mortality rate was 4.03 per cent. If only the viable infants are included, the rate is 3.66 per cent.2.2. Asphyxia is the most common cause of fetal death.3.3. There is a higher fetal death rate in the Negro.4.4. Multiparas and primiparas show essentially the same fetal death rate.5.5. The greatest net gain of living over dead children occurs among women between 20 and 24 years of age. After the age of 30 the woman delivers a proportionately greater number of dead babies than she did before that age.6.6. In labors that exceed thirty hours, the fetal mortality rate doubles.7.7. Spontaneous deliveries show the lowest fetal death rate. High forceps show the highest.8.8. On the basis of the material studied, a reduction of the fetal death rate suggests the following: 8.1.(a) Labors that exceed thirty hours in duration should receive the benefit of consultation, unless delivery is imminent.8.2.(b) Interference should be avoided unless absolutely justifiable; the best results are obtained in spontaneous deliveries.8.3.(c) Pelvic conformation should be studied roentgenologically if there is doubt. Both see and feel the cephalopelvic relationship.8.4.(d) The mechanism of delivery should be adapted to the architecture of the pelvis in operative deliveries.8.5.(e) In dystocia, avoid interference if progress is being made even though the progress is slow, but do not unnecessarily delay delivery if progress has come to a standstill.8.6.(f) The asphyxiated baby should be treated before delivery. Avoid hurry in delivering these babies.8.7.(g) The fetal heart should be auscultated frequently for one-half hour after membranes rupture.8.8.(h) Examine patient after the membranes rupture if the presenting part was high prior to their rupture.8.9.(i) Examine for tight cord around neck when there is no other obvious cause for asphyxia.8.10.(j) Use sedatives sparingly when labor is going to be prolonged. Use them freely in cases of precipitate labors.8.11.(k) Use pituitrin with great care if at all before parturition.8.12.(l) Save premature babies by adequate pediatric organization. The first twenty-four hours are the most important.8.13.(m) Research in the causes of labor, the causes and early detection of uterine inertia, the causes of premature rupture of membranes, means of predetermining the size of the fetus, the physiology of fetal respiration, the mechanics of molding and birth injuries, and the physiology of the premature infant will all aid materially in further reducing the infantile mortality rate.

Health of Palestine

ACCORDING to the report for 1939 recently published by the Department of Health in Palestine, the country was so much disturbed by political strife in that year as to prevent development of health work. The health of the people, however, was remarkably good, and there were no important epidemics. The recorded incidence of infectious diseases was the lowest for many years, and the death-rate from them half that of 1931. The total population numbered 1,501,698, of which 60 per cent were Moslems, 30 per cent Jews and 10 per cent Christians and others. The birth-rate was twice as high among Moslems (46.4 per cent) as among the Jews (23.0 per cent). Both rates were falling, but that of the Jews more rapidly than that of the Moslems. The death-rate of the Moslems was much more than double that of the Jews. Infantile mortality was 121.5 per 1,000 live births among the Moslems and 54 among the Jews ; for Christians the rate was 101. These rates were the lowest ever recorded and showed a sharp decline from previous years. Of the various diseases diarrhoea caused 1,336 deaths and pneumonia 1,258, then in order of frequency came heart disease 617, cancer 364, cerebral haemorrhage 311, and nephritis 276. 3,394 cases of malaria were reported with 15 deaths, 1,235 cases of typhoid with 134 deaths, and 175 cases of paratyphoid with 2 deaths. There has been no increase in tuberculosis in the last ten years. Ophthalmias are a formidable problem.

Public Health in the United States

ACCORDING to provisional data for 1939 compiled by the Public Health Service of the United States the general mortality in 45 States, the Districts of Columbia, Hawaii and Alaska, was 10.7 per 1,000 Inhabitants, as compared with 10.6 in 1938. Infantile mortality was 48 per 1,000 living births, the lowest hitherto recorded. The fall in maternal mortality continued, being 10 per cent lower than in 1938 (4 per cent live births). During the year 1939 no case of cholera or yellow fever was reported, but one case of plague was notified in the State of Utah. There were 403,037 cases of measles, or less than half the number in 1938, and 9,877 cases of smallpox as compared with 14,938 in the previous year. At the beginning of the summer of 1939 there was an outbreak of poliomyelitis in the States of the Atlantic coast with a total of 7,339 cases compared with 1,705 in 1938. The incidence of diphtheria, cerebrospinal fever, scarlet fever, typhoid and paratyphoid fevers was much less than the average for the quinquennium 1934-38. There was an outbreak of influenza in February 1939 which subsided towards the middle of July, but there was another outbreak in October which lasted until June 1940 ; in 1939 there were 275,503 cases notified, or more than double those in 1938 and 40 per cent above the average for the quinquennium 1934-38. 2,996 cases of typhoid fever were notified in 1939 as compared with 2,294 in 1938. The mortality from typhoid, paratyphoid, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, encephalitis, meningitis, tuberculosis, malaria, pellagra, affections of the alimentary tract, syphilis, diarrhoea and enteritis in children under two years, and accidents (including motor accidents) were the lowest reported in the last five years. The mortality from pneumonia was very low in 1939, the diminution being more than 33 per cent compared with 1938. The increases in the mortality from cancer, diabetes, cerebral hæmorrhage and heart disease must be attributed principally to the greater age of the population.

Health of Scotland

ACCORDING to the report recently issued by the Department of Health for Scotland for the eighteen months January 1939 to June 1941, the health of that country in 1939 reached a level never attained before. The severe winter of 1940-41, however, was responsible for the deterioration in the first quarter of 1941 when the infantile mortality rose to 109. In 1939, 7,176 cases of tuberculosis with 3,526 deaths were reported, and in 1940, 7,670 and 4,003 respectively, while in the first half of 1941 the figures were 4,300 and 2,300. With the exception of tuberculosis, the War has so far not had much influence upon infectious diseases, unless the increased incidence of cerebrospinal fever be attributed to war conditions. There was an increase in diphtheria of about 50 per cent in 1940 over 1939, but in 1941 the incidence declined; about 440,000 children of school age and under, or approximately 40 per cent of the child population, have been immunized.

Poverty and Malnutrition in South Africa

EVIDENCE given to the Industrial and Agricultural Requirements Commission by Dr. T. W. B. Osborn on March 17, 1941, has now been published under the title “Remedies for Poverty and Malnutrition in South Africa”. (Pp. iii+22. Johannesburg: Central News Agency, Ltd., 1941. 2s. 6d.). Dr. Osborn, pointing out that the mines managements of the Rand have already convinced themselves that it pays to put their native labour force on a well-balanced ration, emphasizes the significance of the prevention of malnutrition in regard to infantile mortality and general physique among the Bantu. The potential production of foodstuffs in South Africa is considered more than sufficient to give each member of the community an ample balanced diet. Distribution is the major problem-getting the right food to the people, by increasing their purchasing power, subsidizing consumption, or free distribution. He criticizes milling practice in the cereal industry and asserts that it is essential that the germ of the wheat should go back into refined flour and mealie meal. The conversion of more skim milk into food for human consumption, development of the margarine industry on the grounds of price, in spite of the butter surplus, encouragement of soya bean growing, of the consumption of meat, fish and peanuts by the poorer sections of the community, and of the use of vegetables and fruit rich in vitamin C, such as guavas and red peppers, are also advocated.

Health of New Zealand

ACCORDING to Dr. M. H. Watt, director–general of health for New Zealand, the year 1940—41 was on the whole the most favourable for health that the Dominion has had. Infantile mortality of the European population fell to 30.21, of which 22.03 is accounted for by 722 deaths in the first month of life. Of these, 606 occurred in the first week and another 72 in the second week. In 330 deaths among the new–borns prematurity was the only cause of fatality. The death–rate from tuberculosis among the Europeans was only 0.388, which is a low record for New Zealand and probably for any country, but this disease came next to cardio–vascular disorders, cancer and violence among the causes of European mortality. Among the Maoris the mortality from tuberculosis was 4.132outofatotal mortality of 17.51. Although syphilis has always shown a low incidence among both Europeans and Maoris, it is increasing in both, especially among the latter. Hydatid disease is more prevalent in New Zealand than in any other country, 120 new cases with 16 deaths being expected every year. The low incidence of endemic disease during 1940 was shown by the fact that there was only one death from measles, and 11 deaths from Flexner dysentery among 161 cases. There was a fall in maternal mortality from 3.64 in 1939 to 2.93 in 1940 due mainly to decline in fatality of puerperal sepsis and septic abortion. The total European births shrank from 27,881 in 1927 to 23,935 in: 1935, when the birth–rate reached thelow level of 16.17. Among the Maoris, on the other hand, the num er of births increased from 1,495 in 1927 to 4,265 in 1940, and the rate from 23.22 to 46.87, while the infantile mortality in 1940 was 87.22 and the general death–rate 17.51.

The Relation of Infantile Mastoiditis to Infantile Mortality

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Vital Statistics in New Zealand

ACCORDING to the annual report of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children founded by the late Sir Truby King, the birth–rate of the Dominion in 1939 (excluding Maoris) was 18.73 per 1,000, the highest recorded since 1930. The maternal mortality–rate, excluding septic abortion, was 2.95, and the infantile mortality–rate 3.14 per 1,000 births, almost the lowest ever recorded. The death–rate during the first month of life was 21.8, an improvement on the figure for recent years. The Society has six infants' hospitals in various parts of New Zealand, and the 138 Plunket nurses in its service saw 22,000 new cases during the most recent year and paid 170,000 visits to homes.

Health of Glasgow

IN his latest report Dr. A. S. M. Macgregor, the medical officer of health for Glasgow, states that the lower death-rates and the reduction in the incidence of common diseases in 1939 recall the experience of London and other cities in that year, but in 1940 Glasgow showed some disquieting features. The general death-rate during 1939-13.3 per 1,000 was the lowest on record. There were fewer deaths due to respiratory and infectious diseases. Infantile mortality fell to 80 per 1,000 births, the usual range being between 90 and 100. Deaths due to puerperal infection numbered 30 as compared with 50 the year before. [During the first quarter of 1940, however, there was an outbreak of influenza, and by the end of January the death-rate had risen to 41· 1 per 1,000 of the population. There was also an outbreak of paratyphoid fever with 274 cases but only 3 deaths. For the first time for many years measles was prevalent in the summer instead of in the winter. In the later part of 1940 diphtheria in Glasgow, as in some other parts of the country, reached its highest prevalence. Apart, however, from the influenza attack and the prevalence of diphtheria the health of Glasgow was almost as favourable in 1940 as in 1939.

Vital Statistics of the United States

THE summary of vital statistics of the United States for 1938, recently published (Public Health Rep., 55, 933; 1940), gives the following information. There were 2,286,962 births and 1,381,391 deaths, giving a birth-rate of 17˙6 and a death-rate of 10˙6 per 1,000 population. Of the total deaths 116,702 were of infants less than one year of age, giving an infantile mortality of 51˙0 per 1,000 live births. There were 25,644 sets of twins, 262 sets of triplets and 1 set of quadruplets as compared with 24,881, 219 and 4 respectively in 1937. There was a net natural increase of 7˙0 per 1,000 population, the largest since 1930. The infantile mortality rate has shown an interrupted decline from 68˙7 in 1928 to 51˙0 in 1938, while the maternal mortality rate has fallen continuously during the eleven-year period from 6˙9 to 4˙4. As regards the causes of death in infancy, premature births stand highest in the list, while pneumonia, diarrhœa and enteritis and congenital malformations come next in the order stated. The cancer death-rate in the United States has r sen from 104˙1 in 1934 and 112˙0 in 1937 to 114˙6 in 1938. The deaths from motor accidents in the United States in 1938 (23˙5 per 100,000 population) was the lowest since 1923 (23˙3). In 1937 the rate was 28˙8.