The birth of low weight babies in the United States has not had a meaningful decline for the last 10 years.It continues to be a major predictor of fetal-infant mortality. In addition, the rate of low birth weight infants among African American women continues to be twice that of European American women. Low birth weight babies may experience breathing problems, vision problems, diabetes, hypertension, and cerebral palsy. The purpose of this study was to examine why the high infant mortality rate persist among the African American communities of Southeast Queens, New York City as compared to European American communities in the Borough of Queens, New York City.This was a quantitative retrospective study with a correlational design that utilized secondary data derived from vital records maintained by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The investigation was guided by the ecological model as the theoretical framework to collect, assess, and analyze the data. Logistic regression was used to predict the association of risk factors to infant mortality. Low birth weight, preterm birth, late or no prenatal care, and smoking during pregnancy were risk factors associated with a high mortality rate among African American women. Positive social change implications for this study include the development of a social intervention that will be culturally based for the diverse communities of Southeast Queens, New York City. There will be a collaborative effort in implementing the evidence-based interventions involving interested stakeholders.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) is an ongoing public health issue across the globe, and in the United States. The estimated number of babies born each year in the United States with cleft palate (CP) is about 2,650, while CLP affects approximately 4,440 babies. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional study was to determine if there is a relationship between CLP and maternal characteristics such as reproductive history (advanced maternal age, maternal obesity, prenatal visits, month prenatal care began, number of pregnancies, gestational age at birth, assisted reproductive technology used, gestational diabetes, and hypertension), socioeconomic status of the mother (marital status, education, mother's race, payment source for delivery, and place where birth occurred), and admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in U.S. hospitals from January 2016 to December 2016. The epidemiological triad theory served as the study's framework. A secondary dataset from the National Vital Statistics System was used for this study. Logistic regression was used to test the hypothesized associations. Results indicated that many maternal characteristics such as mother's age (p = .000), maternal obesity (p = .020), number of prenatal visits (p = .001), total birth order (p = .001), gestational age at birth (p = .000), gestational diabetes (p = .002), and gestational hypertension (p = .032), mother's education (p = .000), marital status (p = .018), race (p = .000), and admission to NICU (p = .000) were significantly associated with CLP. Results of this study may help health care professionals identify the determinants of the risk of CLP so as to design and implement effective CLP preventive measures among United States populations that are disproportionately affected by this condition.

résumé Du fait de son impact sur la morbidité et la mortalité infantile, ainsi que de ses implications sur la santé à l’âge adulte, le petit poids de naissance constitue un problème majeur de santé publique. Le Burkina Faso, pays sahélien enclavé au cœur de l’Afrique occidentale est classé dans le groupe des pays pauvres très endettés et présente une forte prévalence de petit poids de naissance, imputable dans la majorité des cas au retard de croissance intra-utérine. Le contexte de ce travail, réalisé en milieu rural, se caractérise par une situation socioéconomique précaire se traduisant par un faible niveau des indicateurs de l’état de santé et une faible accessibilité aux services sociaux de base. Objectifs, hypothèses Ce travail repose sur les hypothèses que les facteurs socioéconomiques influencent la survenue du petit poids de naissance et que le petit poids de naissance a un impact négatif sur la croissance et la survie au cours de la première année de vie. Ce travail s’est fixé pour objectifs de : •connaître l’importance du petit poids de naissance à terme ; •analyser les déterminants du petit poids de naissance ; •proposer un score pour l’identification des femmes enceintes à risque de mise au monde d’un enfant de petit poids ; •identifier les facteurs influençant la croissance des enfants nés de petit poids ; •étudier l'impact du déficit pondéral à la naissance sur la morbidité et la mortalité infantile ; •formuler des recommandations pour la prévention et la prise en charge du petit poids de naissance en milieu défavorisé dans le but d’orienter les stratégies de réduction de la mortalité infantile. Méthodologie Trois types d’études ont été réalisés: •une étude de cohorte rétrospective portant sur 435 enfants dans le but d’explorer les facteurs de risque, la croissance, le statut nutritionnel et la mortalité des enfants nés de petit poids de naissance à terme. •Une étude transversale portant sur 1013 naissances vivantes à terme qui a permis de déterminer la fréquence du petit poids de naissance et d’analyser les facteurs associés qui lui étaient associés. •Une étude de cohorte prospective au cours de laquelle les 1013 enfants enrôlés dans l’étude transversale ont été suivis afin d’analyser leur croissance et leur survie au cours des 12 premiers mois de vie. Principaux résultats •Le petit poids de naissance représente 15,8% des naissances à terme. •Le sexe féminin est prédominant chez les enfants de petit poids. •Les facteurs sociodémographiques associés au petit poids de naissance sont essentiellement des caractéristiques sociodémographiques maternelles : le jeune âge de la mère (moins de 20 ans), le faible niveau d’instruction, le mauvais état nutritionnel et la faible accessibilité géographique aux structures de santé. •Les facteurs obstétricaux associés au petit poids sont : la primiparité, la survenue de vomissements gravidiques, l’exécution de travaux champêtres et une charge de travail plus importante en cours de grossesse. •Le score proposé pour l’identification des femmes à risque a un pouvoir de discrimination acceptable et présente une bonne stabilité et une faible marge d’erreur de prédiction. •Indépendamment de la catégorie de poids à la naissance, tous les enfants demeurent en dessous des médianes des courbes de référence internationales pour l’ensemble des indices nutritionnels entre 0 et 12 mois. •Malgré des gains plus importants mais de façon non significative, les enfants de PPN montrent une incapacité à combler leur retard en taille et en poids. •Le PPN est associé à un risque significativement plus élevé de retard de croissance et d’insuffisance pondérale au cours de la première année de vie. •Le petit poids de naissance et la non-complétude de la consultation prénatale étaient associés à un risque deux fois plus important de décès. •L’état nutritionnel à l’âge de 3 mois ainsi qu’à l’âge de 6 mois joue un rôle plus important dans la survie chez les enfants de PPN que chez les enfants nés de poids normal. Conclusions Les solutions au problème du petit poids de naissance impliquent un paquet d’interventions intégrant des stratégies avant, pendant et après la grossesse et des programmes de prise en charge ciblant les enfants de petit poids après leur naissance. Il s’agit prioritairement de : •l’information et de la sensibilisation des populations pour un meilleur suivi de la grossesse et une complétude de la consultation prénatale ; •l’adoption de pratiques et d’habitudes en faveur d’une alimentation équilibrée des femmes enceintes ; •un plaidoyer pour un allègement de la charge de travail des femmes enceintes ; •l’utilisation de méthodes opérationnelles pour l’identification des femmes à risque ; •l’amélioration de la qualité des prestations de surveillance de la grossesse ; •la redéfinition du contenu et des protocoles des programmes de suivi et de promotion de la croissance des jeunes enfants avec une attention particulière pour les enfants nés de petit poids ; •la lutte contre certaines pratiques sociales comme les mariages précoces et les grossesses chez les adolescentes et les femmes de moins de 20 ans ; •la promotion de la scolarisation des jeunes filles et l’alphabétisation des mères ; •l’amélioration de l’état nutritionnel de la population ; •la réalisation d’études pour évaluer l’impact de certains déterminants et interventions sur l’incidence du petit poids et le devenir des enfants nés avec un handicap pondéral : rôle de l’infection palustre, interventions nutritionnelles ciblant les enfants de petit poids, apports nutritionnels pendant la grossesse. Summary Due to its impact on infant morbidity and mortality, and its effects on adult’s health, low birth weight (LBW) is a major issue in the public health sector. Burkina Faso, a Sahelian country land-locked in the heart of West Africa is listed among the heavily indebted poor countries, with a high prevalence of Low Birth Weight, caused in most cases by intra uterine growth retardation. The context of the current study, conducted in urban area, is characterised by a poor socio-economic situation resulting in weak health indicators and difficult access to the basic social services. Objectives, assumptions The study is based o the assumptions that socio-economic factors have an influence on the occurrence of Low Birth Weight and that Low Birth Weight has a negative impact on growth and survival during the first year of the infant. The study has the following objectives: •To assess the importance of low birth weight a term; •To analyse the determinant factors of low birth weight; •To suggest a classification for the identification of pregnant women at risk of giving birth to low birth weight infants ; •To identify factors which have an impact on the growth of low birth weight children ; •To look at the impact of body weight deficiency at birth on infant morbidity and mortality ; •To give recommendations on the prevention and treatment of low birth weight children from underprivileged background with the aim to orientate strategies for infant mortality reduction. Methodology Three types of studies were conducted: •A retrospective cohort study of 435 children aiming at exploring risk factors, growth, nutritional status, and mortality of low birth weight infants in the long run. •A cross-sectional study of 1013 live full-term births, which led to determining the frequency of low birth weight and at analysing associated factors which are linked to low birth weight. •A prospective cohort study during which the 1013 children taken into consideration for the cross-sectional study were followed up so as to analyse their growth and survival all along the first 12 months of their life. Main results •Low birth weight represents 15.8% of full-term births. •Female babies are predominant among low birth weight babies. •Socio-demographic factors linked to low birth weight are mainly maternal socio-demographic characteristics: young mother (below 20 years old), low educational level, poor nutritional status and limited geographical access to health infrastructures. •Obstetrical factors linked to low birth weight are the following: primiparity, occurrence of vomiting during pregnancy, field work and a heavier workload during pregnancy. •The suggested classification for the identification of women at risk proves to have an acceptable power of discrimination and shows good stability and limited margin of error for prediction. •Regardless of weight categories at birth, all children remain below medians of international reference curves for all nutritional indicators between 0 and 12 months. •In spite of more important but not significant weight gains, LBW children prove not to be able to catch up on height and weight. •LBW is linked to a significantly higher risk in growth retardation and weight deficiency during the newborn’s first year of life. •LBW and non-complete antenatal visits are linked to a death risk multiplied by two. •The nutritional status at the age of 3 months and 6 months old plays a more important role in the survival in LBW children than in children born with normal weight. Conclusions Solutions to LBW imply a package of interventions which should integrate strategies before, during and after pregnancy, together with treatment programmes targeting LBW children after their birth. In priority, these are: •Information and awareness given to population for a better follow-up of pregnancies and complete cycles antenatal visits ; •New practices and habits to be taken on favouring a balanced diet of pregnant women ; •Advocacy actions aiming at reducing the workload of pregnant women ; •The use of operational methods to identify women at risk ; •Improving the quality of monitoring of pregnancy; •Redefined content and procedures of monitoring programs and promoting young children growth, with particular focus on LBW children ; •The fight against some social practices such as early marriages and pregnancies of teenagers and women below 20 years; •The promotion of school education for young girls and literacy for mothers ; •Improving the nutritional status of the population; •The realisation of studies to assess the impact of some determinant factors and interventions on the occurrence of low birth weight and on the future of children born with weight deficiency: role of malaria, nutritional interventions targeting LBW children, nutritional intakes during pregnancy

The field of prenatal screening and diagnosis has developed rapidly over the past half-century, enabling possibilities for detecting anomalies in reproduction that were never before contemplated. A simple blood sample can aid in the identification of several conditions in the fetus early in the pregnancy. If a fetus is found to be affected by Down syndrome, anencephalus, spina bifida, or Edward's syndrome, a decision must then be made whether to continue or terminate the pregnancy. As prenatal screening becomes increasingly commonplace and part of routine maternal care, researchers are faced with the challenge of understanding its effects at the level of the population and monitoring trends over time. Greater uptake of prenatal screening, when followed by prenatal diagnosis and termination, has important implications for both congenital anomaly surveillance and infant and fetal mortality indicators. Research in Canada suggests that this practice has led to reductions in the congenital-anomaly specific infant mortality rate and increases in the stillbirth rate.(1, 2) The current study is a population-based, epidemiological exploration of demographic predictors of maternal serum screening (MSS) and amniocentesis uptake, with special attention to variations in birth outcomes resulting from different patterns of use. To accomplish our objectives, multiple data sources (vital statistics, hospital and physician services, cytogenetic and MSS laboratory information) were compiled to create a comprehensive maternal-fetal-infant dataset. Data spanned a six-year period (2000-2005) and involved 93,171 pregnancies. A binary logistic regression analysis found that First Nations status, rural-urban health region of residence, maternal age group, and year of test all significantly predicted MSS use. Uptake was lower in women living in a rural health region, First Nations women, and those under 30 years of age. The study dataset identified ninety-four terminations of pregnancy following detection of a fetal anomaly (TOPFA), which led to a lower live birth prevalence of infants with Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, and anencephalus. While a significant increasing trend was observed for the overall infant mortality rate in Saskatchewan between 2001-2005, a clear trend in one direction or the other could not be seen in regards to infant deaths due to congenital anomaly. First Nations status and maternal age were important predictors of both MSS and amniocentesis testing, and appeared to influence the decision to continue or terminate an affected pregnancy. The fact that First Nations women were less likely to screen (9.6% vs. 28.4%) and to have diagnostic follow-up testing (18.5% vs. 33.5%), meant that they were less likely to obtain a prenatal diagnosis when the fetus had a chromosomal anomaly compared to other women (8.3% vs. 27.0%). This resulted in a lower TOPFA rate compare to the rest of the population (0.64 vs. 1.34, per 1,000 pregnancies, respectively) and a smaller difference between the live birth prevalence and incidence of Down syndrome and Trisomy 18 for First Nations women. Women under 30 years of age were much less likely to receive a prenatal diagnosis when a chromosomal anomaly was present (18.4% vs. 31.8%). While risk for a chromosomal anomaly is considerably lower for younger mothers, 53.5% of all pregnancies with chromosomal anomalies and 40.7% of DS pregnancies belonged to this group. Consistent with other studies pregnancy termination rates following a prenatal congenital anomaly diagnosis are high (eg. 74.1% of prenatally diagnosed Down syndrome or Trisomy 18 cases), but these rates may be misleading in that they are based on women who chose to proceed to prenatal diagnosis. The fact that two-thirds (67.3%) of Saskatchewan women who received an increased-risk result declined amniocentesis, helps to put this finding into context. Strong surveillance systems and reasonable access to research datasets will be an on-going challenge for the province of Saskatchewan and should be viewed as a priority. Pregnancies and congenital anomalies are two particularly challenging outcomes to study in the absence of perinatal and congenital anomaly surveillance systems. Still pregnancies that never reach term must be accounted for, in order to describe the true state of maternal-fetal-infant health and to study its determinants. While our study was able to identify some interesting trends and patterns, it is only a snapshot in time. Key to the production of useful surveillance and evaluation is timely information. The current system is not timely, nor is it user-friendly for researchers, health regions or governments. Data compilation for the current study was a gruelling and cumbersome process taking more than five years to complete. A provincial overhaul is warranted in both the mechanism by which researchers access data and in the handling of data. The Better Outcomes Registry & Network (BORN) in Ontario is an innovative perinatal and congenital anomaly surveillance system worthy of modelling.(3) Academic papers in non-ethics' journals typically focus on the technical or programmatic aspects of screening and do not effectively alert the reader to the complex and profound moral dilemmas raised by the practice. A discussion of ethics was felt necessary to ensure a well-rounded portrayal of the issue, putting findings into context and helping to ensure their moral relevance did not remain hidden behind the scientific complexities. Here I lay out the themes of the major arguments in a descriptive manner, recognizing that volumes have been written on the ethics of both screening and abortion. A major ethical tension arising within the context of population based prenatal screening is the tension between community morality and the principle of respect for personal autonomy. Prenatal screening and selective termination have been framed as a purely private or medical matter, thereby deemphasizing the social context in which the practice has materialized and the importance of community values. I consider how a broader sociological perspective, one that takes into account the relevance of community values and limitations of the clinical encounter, could inform key practice and policy issues involving prenatal screening. It is my position that the community's voice must be invited to the conversation and public engagement processes should occur prior to any additional expansion in programming. I end with a look at how the community’s voice might be better heard on key issues, even those issues that at first glance seem to be the problems of individuals. As Rayna Rapp (2000) (4) poignantly observed, women today are 'moral pioneers' not by choice, but by necessity. By elucidating the effects of prenatal screening and the extent of the practice of selective termination in the province, the true occurrence of important categories of congenital anomalies in our province can be observed. Without this knowledge it is very difficult to identify real increases or decreases in fetal and infant mortality over time as the etiologies are complex. Evidence suggests a large and increasing impact of TOPFA on population-based birth and mortality statistics nationally, whereas in Saskatchewan the effect appears to be less pronounced. Appreciation of the intervening effect of new reproductive technologies will be increasingly important to accurate surveillance, research, and evaluation as this field continues to expand.

Doctor of Public Health / For many years the major cause of infant mortality in NSW has been the result of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Statistics show the area defined as 'Western Sydney' is no exception, and in 2002, a report prepared by the Epidemiology, Indicators, Evaluation and Research Unit (EIRE) in Western Sydney presented data indicating SIDS rates in the area were higher than the state average. In particular, two Local Government Areas (LGAs) had clusters of SIDS deaths. Previous Australian research identified a higher risk of SIDS and other causes of infant mortality in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. The areas of Western Sydney where SIDS rates were higher than expected were home to Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Island residents. The number of SIDS deaths in Aboriginal infants did not explain the higher than expected rate of SIDS in the areas under investigation. Studies undertaken in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands have identified higher than expected risk of SIDS in Maori and Pacific Island communities in those countries, although this has never been studied in Pacific Island residents living in Australia. The reasons for these communities exhibiting a higher than normal SIDS rate is not completely understood, but can be partially explained by behavioural practices which are known to impact adversely on the risk of SIDS. This study sought to investigate the level of knowledge concerning the prevention of sudden and unexpected death in infants (SUDI) in three key groups of infant caregivers: general practitioners, nurses and parents living or working in the area geographically defined by Sydney West Area Health Service (WSAHS). In addition, the study sought to identify any variation in knowledge of SIDS reduction strategies in the three groups under study, and to investigate factors influencing knowledge and practice in these participants. The study findings were then used as a basis on which to develop strategies and recommendations to enhance the delivery of safe sleeping messages through the health care system. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, this cross-sectional study highlights a number of issues around infant care practices and the major influences on new parents living in a multicultural community. Results of the study showed there is a large variation in knowledge around safe sleeping practices (including SIDS reduction strategies) in all the groups studied. Although educational campaigns are conducted regularly, many general practitioners and parents are confused about the key SIDS reduction messages and still place infants in sleeping positions considered unsafe. While nurses and midwives were aware of the SIDS reduction strategies, they still occasionally used infant sleeping positions considered unsafe. General practitioners born overseas in a country where English is not the first language were less likely to be familiar with safe sleeping messages, including SIDS reduction strategies. Families from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background were less likely to have seen SIDS information in their own language than families who spoke English, and as a result were more likely to use traditional methods of infant care, including co-sleeping with siblings and parents and side or tummy sleeping. CALD parents were more likely to rely on herbal remedies and friends and family for assistance, than English speaking parents who accessed health professionals as the first point of call when infants were unwell. The study identified a relatively recent practice, which until reported in this study, has not been documented in the literature. The practice of draping infant prams with blankets originated from the Cancer Council of Australia guidelines which recommend covering a pram with a light muslin wrap to protect infants’ skin from the sun. It appears parents have misinterpreted this message and are covering infant prams with blankets to encourage sleep, even when sun exposure is not an issue. Research suggests that poor air quality around the head of an infant may affect an infant’s arousal response. While no research has been conducted on the air quality around an infants head when covered by a heavy blanket in a pram, it is possible based on research into air quality around infants, that that this practice may increase the risk of sudden and unexpected death in an infant. In conclusion, this study found that multiple changes to the SIDS reduction messages since the initial ‘Reduce the Risks’ Campaign have led to confusion about ways of preventing SIDS in GPs, nurses and parents in Western Sydney. The study makes seven recommendations aimed at improving knowledge of safe sleeping practices in these groups, and optimizing health outcomes for infants using a collaborative approach to service delivery and future initiatives.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--University of South Florida, 2008. / Title from PDF of title page. Document formatted into pages; contains 154 pages. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--RAND Graduate School, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

CONTEXTO: O Coeficiente de Mortalidade Infantil (CMI), que expressa o risco de um nascido vivo morrer antes de completar um ano de vida, é considerado um dos mais eficientes sensores de desenvolvimento social, econômico e ético, e seu acompanhamento permite inferir sobre a qualidade de vida de uma população. No Rio Grande do Sul, esse coeficiente vem apresentando tendência decrescente, permanecendo abaixo da média nacional. Entretanto, ampliar a compreensão dos determinantes da mortalidade infantil pode contribuir na elaboração de políticas e programas de saúde específicos. São inúmeros os fatores de risco citados na literatura, e a maioria deles é evidenciada em estudos que desconsideram a hierarquia existente nos dados. Porém, crianças que vivem em determinadas regiões podem apresentar características similares, quando comparadas a outras que vivem em regiões diferentes. Assim, as técnicas clássicas de análise, que pressupõem independência entre as observações, podem produzir estimativas viesadas. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi utilizar os dados de sistemas de informações para analisar a evolução e os determinantes da mortalidade infantil e seus componentes no Rio Grande do Sul, de 1994 a 2004, assim como identificar os fatores associados à mortalidade neonatal, em 2003, considerando características individuais e contextuais. MÉTODO: Para a análise da evolução, foi realizado um estudo ecológico longitudinal, considerando-se medidas repetidas e regressão linear multinível, com microrregiões no nível 2 e tempo no nível 1. Para identificar os determinantes associados ao óbito neonatal, foi utilizada uma coorte retrospectiva que vinculou os nascimentos registrados no período de 01/01/2003 a 03/12/2003 aos óbitos neonatais originados desses nascimentos. Esses fatores foram estimados e comparados por meio da análise dos modelos de regressão logística clássica e multinível. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a taxa de mortalidade infantil reduziu de 19,2 para 15,2 por mil nascidos vivos, e as principais causas de óbitos infantis, nos últimos cinco anos, foram as afecções perinatais (54,10%). Aproximadamente 47% da variação nas taxas de mortalidade ocorreu no nível das microrregiões, sendo que 10% de acréscimo na cobertura do Programa Saúde da Família esteve associado à redução de 1‰ na mortalidade infantil, e um acréscimo de 10% na taxa de pobreza esteve associado com uma redução de 2,1‰ nos óbitos infantis. Também, encontrou-se associação positiva com a proporção de baixo peso e a taxa de leitos hospitalares na população e, negativa, com a proporção de partos cesáreos e a taxa de hospitais. As variáveis associadas ao óbito neonatal, no modelo clássico, foram: baixo peso ao nascer, Apgar no 1º e 5º minuto inferiores a 8, presença de anomalia congênita, parto cesáreo, prematuridade e perda fetal anterior. No modelo multinível, essa variável não se manteve significativa, mas a inclusão da variável contextual indicou que 15% da variação da mortalidade neonatal pode ser explicada pela variabilidade nas taxas de pobreza em cada microrregião. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo evidenciou a predominância dos fatores individuais na mortalidade infantil e neonatal, mas demonstrou que a análise multinível foi capaz de identificar efeitos contextuais, possibilitando ações públicas direcionadas aos grupos vulneráveis. / CONTEXT: The Infant Mortality Coefficient (IMC), that express the risk of a bornalive baby die before completing one year of life, is considered one of the most efficient sensors of social, economic and ethical development, and its following allows to infer on the population life quality. In Rio Grande do Sul this coefficient has presented a decreasing trend, remaining below national average. However, to extend the understanding determinants of infant mortality can contribute in the elaboration of policies and specific health programs. Several risk factors are mentioned in literature, and the majority of them are evidenced in studies that disrespect the existing hierarchy in data. However, children who live in certain regions can present similar characteristics, when compared to others who live in different regions. Thus, classical techniques of analysis that estimate independence between comments, can produce biased estimates. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to use the systems of information data to analyze the evolution and determinants of infant mortality and their components in Rio Grande do Sul from 1994 to 2004, as well as to identify the factors associated to neonatal mortality, in 2003, considering individual and contextual characteristics. METHOD: For the evolution analysis a longitudinal ecologic study was carried out, considering repeated-measures and multilevel linear regression, with microregions in level 2 and time in level 1. To identify the determinants associated to neonatal death, a historic cohort was used to link births recorded from 01/01/2003 to 12/03/2003 with the originated neonatal deaths of these births. These factors were estimated and compared by classic and multilevel logistic regression models. RESULTS: It was verified that the infant mortality rate decreased from 19.2 to 15.2 per thousand live births, and the main causes of infant deaths in the last five years has been perinatal affections (54.10%). Approximately 47% of the variation in mortality rates occurred at a microregion level, being that 10% increase in Family Health Program coverage was associated to the reduction of 1‰ in infant mortality, and an increase of 10% in poverty rate was associated to an increase of 2.1‰ in infant deaths. Also, there was positive association with the proportion of low weight and hospital bed rates in the population and, negative, with the proportion of caesarean sections and hospital rates. Low birthweight, Apgar scores at 1 and at 5 minutes lower 8, presence of congenital abnormality, caesarean section, pre-term birth and previous fetal loss were associated to neonatal deaths in the classical model. In the multilevel model, previous fetal loss did not remain significant, but the inclusion of contextual variable indicated that 15% of neonatal mortality variation can be explained by the variability in rates of poverty in each microregion. CONCLUSIONS: This study evidenced the predominance of individual factors in infant and neonatal mortality, but it demonstrated that the multilevel analysis was capable of identifying contextual effects, making directed actions to the susceptible groups possible.

Sapiranga integrou uma lista de municípios do Rio Grande do Sul com as maiores taxas de mortalidade infantil em 2007. Para entender porque a mortalidade infantil foi elevada, realizou-se um estudo descritivo sobre esta mortalidade no município de 2006 a 2009, enfatizando o caráter de evitabilidade dos óbitos. Foram utilizados dados das Declarações de Nascido Vivo, Declarações de Óbito e Fichas de Investigação de Óbito Infantil. No período, nasceram 4742 crianças e 53 morreram, correspondendo a uma taxa de mortalidade infantil de 11,1 por mil, semelhante à do estado, mas sem tendência de declínio. Causas evitáveis foram responsáveis por 83% dos óbitos, sendo 34% redutíveis por controle na gravidez, 24% por ações de prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento precoces, 19% por parcerias com outros setores e 6% por atenção ao parto. Apenas 11% foram por causas não evitáveis. Isso sugere a necessidade de o município expandir e melhorar a assistência pré-natal. Pela grande proporção de moradoras de áreas de Unidades de Saúde tradicionais, não foi possível avaliar o impacto do Programa de Saúde da Família no perfil da mortalidade infantil no município. / Sapiranga joined the list of municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul with higher rates of infant mortality in 2007, we performed a descriptive study on infant mortality in the county from 2006 to 2009, emphasizing the character of avoidable deaths. We used data of the Statement of Live Birth, Death Certificates and Infant Mortality Investigation Forms. During the period, 4742 children were born and 53 died, representing a mortality rate of 11.1 per thousand, similar to the state, but with no tendency to decline. Preventable causes were responsible for 83% of all deaths, 34% reducible by control of pregnancy, 24% by prevention, early diagnosis and treatment actions’, 19% by partnerships with other sectors and 6% for delivery care. Only 11% were due to unavoidable causes. This suggests the need to expand and improve prenatal care. Because of the large proportion of residents in areas of Traditional Health Units, it was not possible to assess the impact of the Family Health Program in the profile of infant mortality in the municipality.

OBJETIVO: Analisar as freqüências de malformações congênitas detectadas ao nascimento no Rio Grande do Sul, enfocando especialmente aquelas passíveis de Diagnóstico Pré-Natal através do Estudo Morfológico Fetal, para sugerir, ao final, uma rotina mínima de exame ultra-sonográfico fetal. MÉTODOS: Inicialmente realizou-se um estudo descritivo de base populacional dos bancos de dados oficiais do Rio Grande do Sul referentes aos defeitos congênitos no estado. Foi delimitado o período de 2001 a 2005, sendo incluídos todos recém-nascidos vivos que foram registrados ao nascimento como portadores de uma ou mais anomalias congênitas na Declaração de Nascidos Vivos. Foram incluídos também os nascidos vivos falecidos com menos de um ano, com causa mortis atribuída a um defeito congênito e os óbitos fetais cuja Declaração de Óbito registrou defeitos congênitos. Para fins deste estudo, foram analisados 25 defeitos ou grupos de defeitos, levando em conta suas prevalências relatadas na literatura, gravidade, possibilidade de diagnóstico pré-natal ou no exame do recém-nascido. A seguir foram estudadas as possibilidades de Diagnóstico Pré-Natal dos principais defeitos congênitos através da ultra-sonografia, tendo como base na literatura atual e buscando-se elaborar uma rotina mínima de exame fetal. RESULTADOS: Os 25 defeitos ou grupos de defeitos representaram 81,74% do total dos 6.236 recém nascidos com defeitos identificados no nascimento. No período de 2001-2005 nasceram no estado 765.230 bebês, com média anual de 153.046. A ocorrência geral de defeitos diagnosticados no nascimento no período foi de 0,81%, sendo relatadas as freqüências específicas daqueles 25 defeitos. Identificou-se que 787 casos de defeitos congênitos que faleceram no 1º ano de vida não foram diagnosticados ao nascimento. Calculou-se que para cada caso de cardiopatia diagnosticado no nascimento cerca de 3 casos não foram percebidos e faleceram no 1º ano de vida. Estes cálculos foram expressivos também para trissomias do 13 e 18 (3:1) e sistema nervoso central (1,28:1). CONCLUSÕES: A análise das freqüências de defeitos congênitos no Rio Grande do Sul mostrou que 25 defeitos ou grupo de defeitos representam mais de 80% do total das ocorrências no estado. Alguns defeitos congênitos registrados ao nascimento no Campo 34 da Declaração de Nascidos Vivos parecem estar subestimados, especialmente aqueles cujo diagnóstico necessita de exames especializados, como as cardiopatias congênitas. Este estudo sugere que com a avaliação ultra-sonográfica de 18 planos da anatomia fetal se pode rastrear a maioria dos defeitos congênitos do nosso meio. / OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of congenital defects detected at birth in Rio Grande do Sul, focusing mainly on those that can be diagnosed prenatally by a Fetal Morphological Ultrasound Study, and finally, to suggest a minimum routine for fetal ultrasonographic examination. METHODS: Initially a population-based descriptive study was performed of the Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state official database referring to congenital defects in the state. The period from 2001 to 2005 was delimited, and all livebirths recorded in the Declaration of Livebirths as having one or more congenital anomalies were included. Babies born alive who died at less that one year of age were also included if their cause of death was attributed to a congenital defect, and the fetal deaths when the Death Declaration recorded congenital defects. For the purposes of this study, 25 defects or groups of defects were analyzed, taking into account their prevalence reported in the literature, severity, possibility of prenatal diagnosis or diagnosis during the examination of the newborn. Next the possibilities of Prenatal Diagnosis of the main congenital defects by ultrasound were studied based on the current literature and trying to create a minimum routine for a fetal examination. RESULTS: The 25 defects or groups of defects were 81.74% of the total of 6,236 newborns with defects identified at birth. During the 2001-2005 period, 765,230 babies were born in the state, with an annual mean of 153,046. The overall occurrence of defects diagnosed at birth during the period was 0.81%, and the specific frequencies of those 25 defects were reported. It was found that 787 cases with congenital defects that died in the first year of life were not diagnosed at birth. It was calculated that for each case of cardiopathy diagnosed at birth, about 3 cases were not perceived, and died during the 1st year of life. These calculations were also important for trisomies 13 and 18 (3:1) and the central nervous system (1.28:1). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of frequencies of congenital defects or groups of defects that represents more than 80% of them. Some congenital defects recorded in the Declaration of Livebirths at field number 34 seams to be underestimates, like the congenital cardiopathies. This study suggest that with the ultrasonographic evaluation of 18 planes of fetal anatomy the majority of congenital defects can be traced.