Infant mortality in Halton lower than average for England

INFANT mortality in Halton was lower than average for England and the North West according to the latest figures from the Office For National Statistics (ONS).

In Halton, the rate was 2.9 deaths per 1,000 live births before the age of one, compared to 3.6 for England and 3.9 for the North West.

In Cheshire, Halton’s rate was lower than Warrington on 5.2 deaths before the age of one, and Cheshire West on 3.3.

Only Cheshire East was lower in the county on 2.7.

It was also below the Merseyside average of 3.7, with Wirral on 2.2 and St Helens on 2.8 with stronger survival.

Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton were all higher on 4.1, 4.1 and 4.6 respectively.

The worst rate in the North West was in Rossendale on 6.9 - more than double the level in Halton, covering the towns of Runcorn and Widnes , Cheshire.

According to the ONS figures the most common causes of death during the first year of life were “immaturityrelated conditions” such as respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, followed by congenital abnormalities and infections caught shortly before birth.

The data release, published on February 17, 2022, covered statistics for the year 2019.