Background: The aim of prenatal care is to promote good maternal and foetal health and to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in an attempt to promptly manage and solve them. Although high prenatal care attendance is reported in most areas in Brazil, perinatal and neonatal mortalities are disproportionally high, raising doubts about the quality and performance of the care provided. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care use and the risk factors involved in inadequate prenatal care utilization in the metropolitan area of Aracaju, Northeast Brazil.

OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to evaluate whether adolescent pregnancy is a risk factor for low birth weight (LBW) babies. METHODS:This was a cross-sectional study of mothers and their newborns from a birth cohort in Aracaju, Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected consecutively from March to July 2005. Information collected included socioeconomic, biological and reproductive aspects of the mothers, using a standardized questionnaire. The impact of early pregnancy on birth weight was evaluated by multiple logistic regression. RESULTS:We studied 4,746 pairs of mothers and their babies. Of these, 20.6% were adolescents (< 20 years of age). Adolescent mothers had worse socioeconomic and reproductive conditions and perinatal outcomes when compared to other age groups. Having no prenatal care and smoking during pregnancy were the risk factors associated with low birth weight. Adolescent pregnancy, when linked to marital status "without partner", was associated with an increased proportion of low birth weight babies. CONCLUSIONS:Adolescence was a risk factor for LBW only for mothers without partners. Smoking during pregnancy and lack of prenatal care were considered to be independent risk factors for LBW.

How to cite this article: Nardello DM, Guimarães AMDN, Barreto IDC, Gurgel RQ, Ribeiro ERO, Gois CFL. ABSTRACT Objective: identify the epidemiological aspects of early fetal and neonatal deaths in children of patients classifi ed with near miss and the factors associated with this outcome. Method: a cross-sectional study of 79 women identifi ed with near miss and their newborns. The variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Risk factors were estimated based on unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios, and by means of multiple correspondence analysis, with signifi cance for p <0.05. Results: hypertensive disorders totaled 40.5%; Of these, 58.3% had adverse fetal and neonatal outcome. The newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit proved to be signifi cant for the outcome (70.8%), gestational age <32 weeks (41.6%), birth weight <2500 (66.7%), neonatal asphyxia (50%) and early respiratory discomfort (72.2%). Conclusion: prematurity, neonatal asphyxia, and early respiratory distress were signifi cant characteristics for the outcome among newborns. Descriptors: Pregnancy Complications; Near Miss; Fetal Death; Perinatal Death; Epidemiology. RESUMO Objetivo: identifi car os aspectos epidemiológicos dos óbitos fetais e neonatais precoces em fi lhos de pacientes classifi cadas com near miss e os fatores associados a este desfecho. Método: estudo transversal realizado com 79 mulheres identifi cadas com near miss e seus recém-nascidos. As variáveis foram analisadas utilizando-se o teste Exato de Fisher. Os fatores de risco foram estimados com base nas razões de chances não ajustadas e ajustadas, e por meio de análise de correspondência múltipla, com signifi cância para p < 0,05. Resultados: as desordens hipertensivas totalizaram 40,5%; destas, 58,3% tiveram desfecho fetal e neonatal adverso. Mostraram-se signifi cantes para o desfecho os recém-nascidos admitidos na Unidade Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (70,8%), idade gestacional < 32 semanas (41,6%), peso ao nascer < 2500 (66,7%), asfi xia neonatal (50%) e desconforto respiratório precoce (72,2%). Conclusão: prematuridade, asfi xia neonatal e desconforto respiratório precoce constituíram características signifi cantes para o desfecho entre os recém-nascidos. Descritores: Complicações na Gravidez; Near Miss; Morte Fetal; Morte Perinatal; Epidemiologia. RESUMEN Objetivo: identifi car los aspectos epidemiológicos de los óbitos fetales y neonatales precoces en hijos de pacientes clasifi cados con near miss y los factores asociados a este desenlace. Método: estudio transversal realizado con 79 mujeres identifi cadas con near miss y sus recién nacidos. Las variables fueron analizadas utilizando la prueba Exacta de Fisher. Los factores de riesgo fueron estimados con base en las razones de posibilidades no ajustadas y ajustadas, y por intermedio de análisis de correspondencia múltiple, con signifi cación para p < 0,05. Resultados: los desórdenes hipertensivos totalizaron el 40,5%; de los cuales el 58,3% tuvieron desenlace fetal y neonatal adverso. Se han mostrado signi...