Related Experiment Videos
Case-control study on infant mortality in Southern Brazil
Karina Giane Mendes1, Maria Teresa Anselmo Olinto, Juvenal Soares Dias da Costa
1Post-Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos, 950 Bairro Cristo Rei, 93022-000 São Leopoldo, RS, Brasil. karimendes@terra.com.br
Revista De Saude Publica
|April 4, 2006
Summary
Key infant mortality risk factors include low gestational age, low birth weight, and low 5-minute Apgar scores. Reducing perinatal conditions is crucial for lowering neonatal mortality rates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal and perinatal medicine
- Public health epidemiology
- Pediatric mortality research
Background:
- Infant mortality remains a significant public health concern, particularly in developing regions.
- Neonatal mortality constitutes a substantial proportion of overall infant deaths.
- Identifying specific risk factors is essential for targeted intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine risk factors associated with infant mortality.
- To specifically identify risk factors for neonatal mortality.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Caxias do Sul, Brazil (2001-2002).
- Cases were live births with deaths within the first year; controls were matched live births who survived.
- Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis was employed.
Main Results:
- Infant mortality showed a reduction, most notably in the post-neonatal period.
- Significant risk factors identified were: gestational age (<36 weeks), birth weight (<2,500 g), and 5-minute Apgar score (<6).
Conclusions:
- Perinatal conditions are the primary cause of nearly all neonatal deaths.
- A majority of these deaths occur during delivery.
- Reducing mortality from perinatal conditions during the neonatal period is critical for lowering the overall infant mortality rate.