Risk factors for neonatal death in the capital city with the lowest infant mortality rate in Brazil

Objectives

To analyze the risk factors for neonatal death in Florianópolis, the Brazilian city capital with the lowest infant mortality rate.

Method

Data were extracted from a historical cohort with 15,879 live births. A model was used that included socioeconomic, behavioral, and health service use risk factors, as well as the Apgar score and biological factors. Risk factors were analyzed by hierarchical logistic regression.

Results

Based on the multivariate analysis, socioeconomic factors showed no association with death. Insufficient prenatal consultations showed an OR of 3.25 (95% CI: 1.70–6.48) for death. Low birth weight (OR 8.42; 95% CI: 3.45–21.93); prematurity (OR 5.40; 95% CI: 2.22–13.88); malformations (OR 4.42; 95% CI: 1.37–12.43); and low Apgar score at the first (OR 6.65; 95% CI: 3.36–12.94) and at the fifth (OR 19.78; 95% CI: 9.12–44.50) minutes, were associated with death.

Conclusion

Differing from other studies, socioeconomic conditions were not associated with neonatal death. Insufficient prenatal consultations, low Apgar score, prematurity, low birth weight, and malformations showed an association, reinforcing the importance of prenatal access universalization and its integration with medium and high-complexity neonatal care services.