Smoking shock in report on deaths
BIRSTALL and Birkenshaw has recorded some of the most significant falls in baby death rates in Kirklees, according to a new report.
The latest figures show that the area was above the Kirklees average for the rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2004-06.
By 2008-10, the rate for both was below the 5.5 average for the district, and Birkenshaw and Birstall had the third lowest rate of deaths in babies before 12 months.
But Batley, and neighbouring Dewsbury, have continued to record some of the highest rates in Kirklees and are above the latest national rate of 4.7 for England and Wales.
Infant Deaths In Kirklees, published last Thursday by NHS Kirklees and Kirklees Council, looks in greater detail at the 270 deaths in the district between 2002 and 2008, and the work done since a similar report for north Kirklees in 2005.
Assistant director of public health for Kirklees Deborah Collis said: “The increasing rate we faced in 2005 has now begun to decrease, but it is important that we continue work to improve the personal behaviours which contribute to infant deaths across Kirklees being higher than the national average.”
While the report highlighted good progress in reducing the rate, it also revealed shocking figures for the number of women smoking during pregnancy.
It found that more than half of white women in North Kirklees whose babies died had smoked during pregnancy, something which increases the chance of a lower birth weight and, in turn, infant death.
Ms Collis said: “Smoking is the big issue because it’s the one you can most easily do things about. It’s in people’s control.”
Obesity was another factor with 48 per cent of the women in Kirklees being classed as overweight or obese.
Consultant in public health Dr Mercy Vergis said: “It’s a very high figure and this was worse in North Kirklees and in Pakistani mothers.”
The main reasons for death locally were early births, most commonly of white babies, and congenital abnormalities, most frequently among Pakistani babies.
• See page 14.
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