Child ill health

The proportion of the child population with various health problems

Category	Definition	Timeframe	Inner London	Outer London	National average
Low birth weight babies	Babies born weighing less than 2,500g	2004	8%	8%	8%
Infant deaths	Number of deaths before 12 months per 1,000 live births	2003 to 2005	5	5	5
Child dental health	Average number of missing, filled or decayed teeth in 5 year old children	2005/06	1.8	1.6	1.5
Underage; pregnancies	Number of conceptions to girls aged under 16 per 1,000 13&endash;15 year olds	2003 to 2005	11.7	7.7	7.7

What does this table show?

Inner and Outer London have the same proportion of babies born underweight (8%) as the rest of the country. Low birth weight is a sign of deprivation for the mother and an indicator for the future health of the child.

Similarly, at five deaths per 1,000 live births infant mortality is the same as the national average. In general, the risk of infant death is higher among families from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

There is a small difference in the proportion of five-year-olds with poor dental health, children in Inner London having 1.8 missing, filled or decayed teeth, compared with 1.6 in Outer London and the national average of 1.5. Dental health reflects a child's diet and is related to other aspects of deprivation.

The one indicator where London really stands out is in the number of under-age pregnancies (girls conceiving before the age of 16). Underage pregnancy is included because early child-bearing poses physical and emotional risks for the young mother, as well as disrupting her education.

The Inner London rate of 11.7 pregnancies for every 1,000 girls aged between 13 and 15 is 50% higher than the national average of 7.7. The rate in Outer London is the same rate as the national average.

Data used

ONS (1997–2006) Key population and vital statistics; British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (2007)

BASCD Survey Report 2005/2006, BASCD

ONS and ISD Scotland; the data is averaged over the years 2003 to 2005

Indicator last updated: 11 October 2010

Other indicators in Children

• Poverty in Inner and Outer London
• Infant deaths by borough
• Attainment at age 11 by borough
• Free school meals and attainment at age 11
• Households in temporary accommodation
• Underage conception by borough
• Children in workless households over time
• Attainment at age 11 by region
• Families receiving in-work benefits
• Child, adult and pensioner poverty
• London's low income population
• Child poverty and work
• Child and adult poverty and work

Other indicators in Women

• Premature death by region
• Not working by country of birth
• Underage conception by borough
• Low-paid residents by region
• Unemployment by ethnicity, country of birth and gender
• Part-time work
• Job Seeker's Allowance by region
• Child poverty and work

View all indicators