Impact of the prenatal care in the neonatal morbidity and mortality

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prenatal care impact in the neonatal morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case-control cohort-nested study, among hospitalized and healthy newborns. The variables studied were: prenatal care, neonatal morbidity (respiratory distress syndrome, prematurity, low weight at birth, congenital malformations and asphyxia) and mortality, as well as mother's age, weight, height, gestation, and level of education. The statistical analysis was made through percentage, rates and standard deviation, odds ratio and chi2. RESULTS: We analyzed 407 mother and newborn files divided in 2 groups: 118 hospitalized newborns (cases) and 289 healthy newborns (controls). Respiratory distress syndrome (OR 3.559, IC 1.865-6.794), low weight at birth (OR 3.504, IC 1.861-6.597) and prematurity (OR 5.044, IC 2.624-9.698) were significant, but not asphyxia. Other variables were similar in both mother groups. CONCLUSION: Prenatal care produces low incidence of respiratory distress, low weight at birth and prematurity in the newborn. Neonatal mortality rate (6%), was lower than in other studies.