NEW health statistics show East Lancashire had the highest rate of deaths among babies over a month old in the North West last year - and one of the highest in the country.

But the area's overall infant mortality rate was in line with the national average in 1996, a year in which the national rate reached the lowest level ever recorded.

The Office for National Statistics has revealed that East Lancashire had 21 deaths or an average of 2.9 deaths for every 1,000 births among babies aged between 28 days and one year in 1996.

It was the highest post-neonatal rate in the North West and only seven other health authorities in England and Wales had higher rates.

The figure was up on the previous year's rate which stood at 15 deaths or 2.1 deaths per 1,000 births.

Public Health Director for East Lancashire Health Authority Dr Stephen Morton welcomed the overall figures, but pledged that the authority would look into the post-neonatal rate. He said: "Most deaths usually take place in the first week and some in the first month because babies are unwell when born.

"Deaths occur after the first month usually because of social and environmental factors, such as poor housing, overcrowding, poor nutrition and low income."

"Most of these factors are outside our control, but we do have have an extensive immunisation programme.

"I will certainly be talking to the child health directorate about the latest figures."

In 1996 the rates for stillbirths and deaths under the age of seven days, and for deaths under 28 days, were below the regional average.

The figures show there were 7,119 births and 44 stillbirths.

During 1996 the health authority recorded 16 deaths among children aged under seven days, 21 among children aged under four weeks and 42 among children aged under 12 months.

The overall infant mortality rate stood at 5.9 deaths per 1,000 births, which compares to the national rate of 6 deaths per 1,000.

Dr Morton added: "Overall this is progress, considering the situation five or six years ago.

"The better rates for babies aged below a month are almost certainly down to better ante-natal care and better facilities for dealing with children in the early stages after birth."

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