Perfil de mortalidade neonatal no Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: The number of infant deaths is an important indicator, which represents the living and health conditions of a population. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers ten deaths per thousand births acceptable (Noronha et al., 2012). This indicator can be analyzed into two components: neonatal mortality, which is the death of children aged 0 to 27 days, and post-neonatal mortality, which is the death of children aged 28 days to 1 year of age. Neonatal mortality is divided into early neonatal mortality (deaths from 0 to 6 days of life) and late neonatal mortality (deaths from 7 to 27 days of life) (Paula et al., 2016). Objective: To evaluate the epidemiological profile of neonatal deaths from 2018 to 2022 in Brazil. Method: This is a retrospective, descriptive study with a quantitative approach, based on secondary analysis of information available in the Mortality Information System (SIM), Live Birth Information System (SINASC) and DATASUS in the corresponding period from 2018 to 2022. Results: According to the study carried out, a total of 166,709 neonatal deaths were recorded in Brazil in the period from 2018 to 2022. The year 2018 presented the highest number of deaths (21.5), it was found that there was a greater notification of deaths in the Southeast region with 59,386 (35.6%) deaths, it was observed that births between 37 and 41 weeks were those that had the most deaths, weighing between 500 and 999 grams (25.1%), range aged 0 to 6 days, 87,177 (52.3%), and male (55%). Conclusion: The main characteristics related to neonatal deaths were identified in the study, providing knowledge about the reality of newborns and health care in Brazil. The causes described point to preventable deaths through measures aimed at access and healthcare. Knowing the haracteristics of Neonatal Mortality in Brazil contributes to eliminating risks and achieving equitable health care. It is possible to formulate actions that promote the improvement of care provided to newborns, thus reducing Infant Mortality Rates.