Preventable newborn deaths: analysis of the newborn infection component in Brazil from 2007 to 2017

Abstract

The Universal Agenda 2030 was developed by representatives of all countries as an action plan covering the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. 17 objectives were agreed upon, highlighting objective 03, which aims to ensure a healthy life and promote well-being for all at all ages, having as one of the established goals to end preventable deaths of newborns by 2030. Infections neonatal care reflects deficits in health care, covering the entire perinatal period, and it is necessary to understand its causes in order to promote quality preventive and health promotion actions. The question is: what are the causes that make up the indicator of early neonatal mortality, due to preventable causes in Brazil between 2007 to 2017? Retrospective study carried out between September and October 2019 using secondary data collection from Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System - SUS (DATASUS). The outcome variable was early neonatal mortality from preventable causes and the independent variable was the infections component of the newborn). Twelve preventable causes of death have been identified in this category: congenital rubella syndrome; congenital syphilis; neonatal tetanus; diphtheria; haemophilus and non-haemophilus meningitis; human immunodeficiency virus diseases; neonatal infections; pneumonia; acute infections of lower airways; bacterial diseases and intestinal infectious diseases. The main cause of preventable death was infections from the neonatal period, which include congenital viral diseases (cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex); newborn bacterial septicemia; congenital parasitic diseases; omphalitis of newborn with or without mild hemorrhage; intra-amniotic infection of the fetus, neonatal infection of the urinary tract and/or skin. There is a need for more effective public health actions to modify the neonatal mortality situation, as well as health surveillance actions. Key messages Warn about causes of perinatal mortality that can be avoided. Strengthen the fulfillment of objective 3 of the 2030 Agenda to ensure and promote health in the perinatal period.