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Our study aim was to identify high-risk areas of neonatal mortality associated with bacterial sepsis in the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil. We used a population-based study applying retrospective spatial scan statistics with data extracted from birth certificates linked to death certificates. All live births from mothers residing in São Paulo State from 2004 to 2020 were included. Spatial analysis using the Poisson model was adopted to scan high-rate clusters of neonatal mortality associated with bacterial sepsis (WHO-ICD10 A32.7, A40, A41, P36, P37.2 in any line of the death certificate). We found a prevalence of neonatal death associated with bacterial sepsis of 2.3/1000 live births. Clusters of high neonatal mortality associated with bacterial sepsis were identified mainly in the southeast region of the state, with four of them appearing as cluster areas for all birth weight categories (<1500 g, 1500 to <2500 g and ≥ 2500 g). The spatial analysis according to the birth weight showed some overlapping in the detected clusters, suggesting shared risk factors that need to be explored. Our study highlights the ongoing challenge of neonatal sepsis in the most developed state of a middle-income country and the importance of employing statistical techniques, including spatial methods, for enhancing surveillance and intervention strategies.

Stillbirth is a fundamental component of childhood mortality, but its causes are still insufficiently understood. This study aims to explore stillbirth risk factors by using a multidisciplinary approach to stimulate public policies and protocols to prevent stillbirth, improve maternal care and support bereaved families. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: In this case-control study with stillbirths and live births in 14 public hospitals in São Paulo, mothers are interviewed at hospitals after delivery, and hospital records and prenatal care registries are reviewed. Maternal and umbilical cord blood samples and placentas are collected to analyse angiogenesis and infection biomarkers, and the placenta's anatomopathological exam. Air pollutant exposure is estimated through the participant's residence and work addresses. Traditional and non-invasive autopsies by image-guided histopathology are conducted in a subset of stillbirths. Subsample mothers of cases are interviewed at home 2 months after delivery on how they were dealing with grief. Information contained in the official prenatal care registries of cases and controls is being compiled. Hospital managers are interviewed about the care offered to stillbirth mothers. Data analysis will identify the main risk factors for stillbirth, investigate their interrelations, and evaluate health services care and support for bereaved families. We hope this project will contribute to the understanding of stillbirth's risk factors and related health services in Brazil, providing new knowledge about this central public health problem, contributing to the improvement of public policies and prenatal and puerperal care, helping to prevent stillbirths and improve the healthcare and support for bereaved families. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Municipal Health Secretary (process no 16509319.0.3012.5551) and of the Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (process no 16509319.0.0000.0068). Results will be communicated to the study participants, policy-makers and the scientific community., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and risk of stillbirths by biologic vulnerability phenotypes in a cohort of pregnant women in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, 2017-2019., Methods: Retrospective population-based cohort study. Fetuses were assessed as small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), adequate for gestational age (AGA), preterm (PT) as less than 37 weeks of gestation, non-PT (NPT) as 37 weeks of gestation or more, low birth weight (LBW) as less than 2500 g, and non-LBW (NLBW) as 2500 g or more. Relative risks (RR) with robust variance were estimated using Poisson regression., Results: In all 442 782 pregnancies, including 2321 (0.5%) stillbirths, were included. About 85% (n = 1983) of stillbirths had at least one characteristic of vulnerability, compared with 21% (n = 92524) of live births. Fetuses with all three markers of vulnerability had the highest adjusted RR of stillbirth-SGA + LBW + PT (RR 155.00; 95% confidence interval [CI] 136.29-176.30) and LGA + LBW + PT (RR 262.04; 95% CI 206.10-333.16) when compared with AGA + NLBW + NPT., Conclusion: Our findings show that the simultaneous presence of prematurity, low birth weight, and abnormal intrauterine growth presented a higher risk of stillbirths. To accelerate progress towards reducing preventable stillbirths, one must identify the circumstances of greatest biologic vulnerability., (© 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)

Background: Preterm births increase mortality and morbidity during childhood and later life, which is closely associated with poverty and the quality of prenatal care. Therefore, income redistribution and poverty reduction initiatives may be valuable in preventing this outcome. We assessed whether receipt of the Brazilian conditional cash transfer programme - Bolsa Familia Programme, the largest in the world - reduces the occurrence of preterm births, including their severity categories, and explored how this association differs according to prenatal care and the quality of Bolsa Familia Programme management., Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed involving the first live singleton births to mothersenrolled in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort from 2004 to 2015, who had at least one child before cohort enrollment. Only the first birth during the cohort period was included, but born from 2012 onward. A deterministic linkage with the Bolsa Familia Programme payroll dataset and a similarity linkage with the Brazilian Live Birth Information System were performed. The exposed group consisted of newborns to mothers who received Bolsa Familia from conception to delivery. Our outcomes were infants born with a gestational age < 37 weeks: (i) all preterm births, (ii) moderate-to-late (32-36), (iii) severe (28-31), and (iv) extreme (< 28) preterm births compared to at-term newborns. We combined propensity score-based methods and weighted logistic regressions to compare newborns to mothers who did and did not receive Bolsa Familia, controlling for socioeconomic conditions. We also estimated these effects separately, according to the adequacy of prenatal care and the index of quality of Bolsa Familia Programme management., Results: 1,031,053 infants were analyzed; 65.9% of the mothers were beneficiaries. Bolsa Familia Programme was not associated with all sets of preterm births, moderate-to-late, and severe preterm births, but was associated with a reduction in extreme preterm births (weighted OR: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.63-0.76). This reduction can also be observed among mothers receiving adequate prenatal care (weighted OR: 0.66; 95%CI: 0.59-0.74) and living in better Bolsa Familia management municipalities (weighted OR: 0.56; 95%CI: 0.43-0.74)., Conclusions: An income transfer programme for pregnant women of low-socioeconomic status, conditional to attending prenatal care appointments, has been associated with a reduction in extremely preterm births. These programmes could be essential in achieving Sustainable Development Goals., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Previous studies conducted in Europe and North America addressing the relationship between self-rated health and parenthood offer inconsistent results, with effects ranging from nonsignificant to significant and in opposite directions. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between parenthood and self-rated health (SRH) among women in Brazil (a country with strong inequalities) considering the time interval from the last delivery in the analyses, as proposed in previous studies set in Sweden., Methods: The study used data from cross-sectional National Health Surveys in Brazil conducted from 2013 to 2014 and 2019 to 2020 with selected groups of 20,046 and 25,100 women for whom complete data were available on the variables of interest. The primary outcome was self-rated health measured on a five-point scale. Partial proportional odds models were employed., Results: Compared to women that were not a parent, primiparous women whose delivery was within less than one year had a lower likelihood of worse SRH (OR (95% CI): 0.58-0.84 in 2013, and 0.64-0.94 in 2019), whereas multiparous women whose last delivery was more than one year earlier had greater likelihood of worse SRH (OR (95% CI): 1.08-1.27 in 2013, and 1.21-1.39 in 2019)., Conclusions: An association was found between parenthood and SRH among Brazilian women. Considering the epidemiological relevance of SRH, different aspects of parenthood concerning parity and time since the last delivery should be considered in further analyses., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Ferreira et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Cesarean section (CS) rates are increasing worldwide and are associated with negative maternal and child health outcomes when performed without medical indication. However, there is still limited knowledge about the association between high CS rates and early-term births. This study explored the association between CSs and early-term births according to the Robson classification., Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed with routine registration data of live births in Brazil between 2012 and 2019. We used the Robson classification system to compare groups with expected high and low CS rates. We used propensity scores to compare CSs to vaginal deliveries (1:1) and estimated associations with early-term births using logistic regression., Results: A total of 17,081,685 live births were included. Births via CS had higher odds of early-term birth (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.32-1.32) compared to vaginal deliveries. Births by CS to women in Group 2 (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.49-1.51) and 4 (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.56-1.58) showed the highest odds of early-term birth, compared to vaginal deliveries. Increased odds of an early-term birth were also observed among births by CS to women in Group 3 (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.29-1.31), compared to vaginal deliveries. In addition, live births by CS to women with a previous CS (Group 5 - OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.35-1.37), a single breech pregnancy (Group 6 - OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.11-1.21, and Group 7 - OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16-1.23), and multiple pregnancies (Group 8 - OR 1.46; 95% CI 1.40-1.52) had high odds of an early-term birth, compared to live births by vaginal delivery., Conclusions: CSs were associated with increased odds of early-term births. The highest odds of early-term birth were observed among those births by CS in Robson Groups 2 and 4., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

A case-control study was carried out to estimate risk factors for perinatal mortality in a referral hospital for high-risk pregnancies in Curitiba-PR. Sociodemographic, maternal, pregnancy and concept characteristics data were obtained from the hospital records of 316 cases and 316 controls from 2013 to 2017. A hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, remaining in the final model variables with p < 0.05. The results show an increased risk of perinatal death in mothers with blood type B (OR = 2.82; 95%CI: 1.07-7.43), who did not undergo prenatal care (OR = 30.78; 95%CI: 4.23-224.29), fetuses with congenital malformations (OR = 63.90; 95%CI: 27.32-149.48), born under 28 (OR = 24.21; 95%CI: 1, 10-531.81) and between 28-31 weeks of gestation (OR = 6.03; 95%CI: 1.34-27.17) and birth weight below 1,000g (OR = 51.94; 95%CI: 4.31-626.46), between 1,000-1,499g (OR = 11.17; 95%CI: 2.29-54.41) and between 1,500-2,499g (OR = 2.75; 25-6.06). Concepts of pregnancies with premature outcome, low birth weight and the presence of congenital malformations are the main risk factors for perinatal death. On the other hand, adequate prenatal care is an important protective factor.

Background: In high- and middle-income countries, mortality associated to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is high and variable. In Brazil, data is scarce regarding the prevalence, mortality, and lethality of CDH. This study aimed to analyze, in São Paulo state of Brazil, the temporal trends of prevalence, neonatal mortality and lethality of CDH and identify the time to CDH-associated neonatal death., Methods: Population-based study of all live births with gestational age ≥ 22 weeks, birthweight ≥400g, from mothers residing in São Paulo State, Brazil, during 2004-2015. CDH definition and its subgroups classification were based on ICD-10 codes reported in the death and/or live birth certificates. CDH-associated neonatal death was defined as death up to 27 days after birth of infants with CDH. CDH prevalence, neonatal mortality and lethality were calculated and their annual percent change (APC) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) was analyzed by Prais-Winsten. Kaplan-Meier estimator identified the time after birth that CDH-associated neonatal death occurred., Results: CDH prevalence was 1.67 per 10,000 live births, with a significant increase throughout the period (APC 2.55; 95%CI 1.30 to 3.83). CDH neonatal mortality also increased over the time (APC 2.09; 95%CI 0.27 to 3.94), while the lethality was 78.78% and remained stationary. For isolated CDH, CDH associated to non-chromosomal anomalies and CDH associated to chromosomal anomalies the lethality was, respectively, 72.25%, 91.06% and 97.96%, during the study period. For CDH as a whole and for all subgroups, 50% of deaths occurred within the first day after birth., Conclusions: During a 12-year period in São Paulo State, Brazil, CDH prevalence and neonatal mortality showed a significant increase, while lethality remained stable, yet very high, compared to rates reported in high income countries., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Scavacini Marinonio et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Importance: Conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have been consistently associated with improvements to the determinants of maternal health, but there have been insufficient investigations regarding their effects on maternal mortality., Objective: To evaluate the association between being a Bolsa Família program (BFP) beneficiary and maternal mortality and to examine how this association differs by duration of BFP receipt, maternal race, living in rural or urban areas, the Municipal Human Development Index (MHDI), and municipal primary health care coverage., Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional analysis was nested within the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort. Girls and women aged 10 to 49 years (hereinafter referred to as women) who had at least 1 live birth were included, using data from Brazilian national health databases linked to the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort (January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2015). Propensity score kernel weighting was applied to control for sociodemographic and economic confounders in the association between BFP receipt and maternal mortality, overall and stratified by different subgroups (race, urban or rural area, and MHDI), and duration of BFP receipt. Data were analyzed from July 12, 2019, to December 31, 2022., Main Outcome(s) and Measures: Maternal death., Results: A total of 6 677 273 women aged 10 to 49 years were included in the analysis, 4056 of whom had died from pregnancy-related causes. The risk of maternal death was 18% lower in women who received BFP (weighted odds ratio [OR], 0.82 [95% CI, 0.71-0.93]). A longer duration receiving BFP was associated with an increased reduction in maternal mortality (OR for 1-4 years, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.75-0.97]; OR for 5-8 years, 0.70 [95% CI, 0.60-0.82]; OR for ≥9 years, 0.69 [95% CI, 0.53-0.88]). Receiving BFP was also associated with substantial increases in the number of prenatal appointments and interbirth intervals. The reduction was more pronounced in the most vulnerable groups., Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional analysis nested within the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort found an association between BFP receipt and maternal mortality. This association was of greater magnitude in women with longer exposure to BFP and in the most vulnerable groups. These findings reinforce evidence that programs such as BFP, which have already proven effective in poverty reduction, have great potential to improve maternal survival.

Background: Conditional Cash Transfer Programs have been developed in Latin America in response to poverty and marked social inequalities on the continent. In Brazil, the Bolsa Familia Program (BFP) was implemented to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions, health, and education for socioeconomically vulnerable populations. However, the effect of this intervention on maternal and child health is not well understood., Methods: We will evaluate the effect of BFP on maternal and child outcomes: 1. Birth weight; 2. Preterm birth; 3. Maternal mortality; and 4. Child growth. Dynamic retrospective cohort data from the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort (2001 to 2015) will be linked to three different databases: Live Birth Information System (2004 to 2015); Mortality Information System (2011 to 2015); and Food and Nutritional Surveillance System (2008 to 2017). The definition of exposure to the BFP varies according to the outcome studied. Those who never received the benefit until the outcome or until the end of the follow-up will be defined as not exposed. The effects of BFP on maternal and child outcomes will be estimated by a combination of propensity score-based methods and weighted logistic regressions. The analyses will be further stratified to reflect changes in the benefit entitlement before and after 2012., Discussion: Harnessing a large linked administrative cohort allows us to assess the effect of the BFP on maternal and child health, while considering a wide range of explanatory and confounding variables., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Background: Several studies have examined whether air pollution is associated with adverse births outcomes, but it is not clear if socioeconomic status (SES) modifies this relationship., Objectives: We investigated if maternal education and area-level socioeconomic status modified the relationship between ozone, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM 10 ) on preterm births (PTB; gestational age <37 weeks) and term low birth weight (TLBW; weight < 2500 g on term deliveries)., Methods: Analyses were based on almost 1 million singleton live births in São Paulo municipality between 2011 and 2016. The final sample included 979,306 births for PTB analysis and 888,133 for TLBW analysis. Exposure to PM 10 , NO 2 and O 3 were based on date of birth and estimated for the entire gestation and for each trimester. Multilevel logistic regression models were conducted to examine the effect of air pollutants on both adverse birth outcomes and whether it was modified by individual and area-level SES., Results: In fully adjusted models, over the entire pregnancy, a 10 μg/m 3 increase in O 3 and PM 10 was associated with increased chance of PTB (odds ratio; OR = 1.14 CI 1.13, 1.16 and 1.08 CI = 1.02, 1.15 respectively) and PM 10 with TLBW (OR = 1.08 CI 1.03, 1.14). Associations were modified by maternal educational and area-level SES for both outcomes. Mothers of lower education had an additional chance of PTB and TLBW due to PM 10 exposure (OR = 1.04 CI 1.04, 1.05 and 1.10 CI 1.08, 1.14 respectively), while mothers living in low SES areas have an additional chance for TLBW (OR = 1.05 CI 1.03, 1.06). Similar modification effects were found for O 3 exposure. Trimester specific associations were weaker but followed a similar pattern., Conclusion: Socioeconomic status modifies the effect of air pollution on adverse birth outcomes. Results indicate that mothers with lower SES may be more susceptible to air pollution effects., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to analyze the distribution of stillbirths by birth weight, type of death, the trend of Stillbirth Rate (SBR), and avoidable causes of death, according to social vulnerability clusters in São Paulo Municipality, 2007-2017. Social vulnerability clusters were created with the k-means method. The Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression was used in the trend of SBR by < 2500 g,  ≥ 2500 g, and total deaths analysis. The Brazilian list of avoidable causes of death was adapted for stillbirths. There was a predominance of antepartum stillbirths (70%). There was an increase in SBR with the growth of social vulnerability from the center to the outskirts of the city. The cluster with the highest vulnerability presented SBR 69% higher than the cluster with the lowest vulnerability. SBR ≥ 2500 g was decreasing in the clusters with the high vulnerability. There was an increase in SBR of avoidable causes of death of the cluster from the lowest to the highest vulnerability. Ill-defined causes of death accounted for 75% of deaths in the highest vulnerability area. Rates of fetal mortality and avoidable causes of death increased with social vulnerability. The trend of reduction of SBR ≥ 2500 g may suggest improvement in prenatal care in areas of higher vulnerability., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Objective: To derive testing and treatment thresholds for early-onset neonatal sepsis and compare them to thresholds used in the Kaiser-Permanente (KP) Sepsis Calculator., Methods: Using surveys distributed in the United States, Brazil and Italy, decision thresholds were derived via self-identified thresholds selected from structured lists (Method 1), and based on clinical vignette responses for testing and treatment with or without inclusion of associated relative risk (Methods 2 and 3)., Results: Using Method 1, both testing and treatment thresholds were higher than the KP calculator thresholds. Test thresholds were lower (Method 2) or equivalent (Method 3) to KP using clinical vignettes. No vignette reached the 50% cutoff necessary to define a treatment threshold., Conclusion: The test threshold used by the KP calculator is the same as the threshold chosen by clinicians given a vignette and risk estimate. The KP treatment threshold is lower than that derived using all 3 methods.

This study aimed to analyze the time trend in stillbirth rate (SBR) and the contribution by investigation to improving the definition of underlying cause of stillbirth in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, according to the place where the death certificate was issued. An ecological approach was used to analyze the trend in SBR by weight stratum (< 2,500g and ≥ 2,500g) and total deaths in the city in 2007-2017. Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression was used. The study of cases analyzed the underlying causes of stillbirth from 2012 to 2014, before and after the investigation, time of conclusion of the investigation, and redefinition of the underlying cause of stillbirths by type of issuer. In deaths with < 2,500g, there was an upward trend in SBR of 1.5% per year and a reduction (-1.3% per year) in stillbirths ≥ 2,500g. Total deaths presented a stable trend. In 2012-2014, 90% of deaths with ≥ 2,500g were investigated. After investigation, the underlying cause of death was redefined in 15% of the deaths, and not otherwise specified stillbirth (P95) represented 25% of the causes of death. The highest proportion of changes in the underlying cause of death occurred in deaths for which the death certificate was issued by the death certification review service (17%), while in health services the proportion was 10.6%. In conclusion, the SBR in deaths with ≥ 2,500g showed a downward trend. There was a significant redefinition of underlying causes, especially in those attested by the death certification review service. However, the redefinition was insufficient to expand the proportion of causes of death that would allow a better understanding of the mortality conditions.

Background: It is challenging to decrease neonatal mortality in middle-income countries, where perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of death. This study aims to analyze the annual trend of neonatal mortality with perinatal asphyxia according to gestational age in São Paulo State, Brazil, during a 10-year period and to verify demographic, maternal and neonatal characteristics associated with these deaths., Methods: Population-based study of neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia from 0 to 27 days in São Paulo State, Brazil, from 2004 to 2013. Perinatal asphyxia was considered as associated to death if intrauterine hypoxia, birth asphyxia or neonatal aspiration of meconium were noted in any line of the Death Certificate according to ICD-10. Poisson Regression was applied to analyze the annual trend of neonatal mortality rate according to gestational age. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to assess age at death during the 10-year study period. Hazard ratio of death during the neonatal period according to gestational age was analyzed by Cox regression adjusted by year of birth and selected epidemiological factors., Results: Among 74,002 infant deaths in São Paulo State, 6648 (9%) neonatal deaths with perinatal asphyxia were studied. Neonatal mortality rate with perinatal asphyxia fell from 1.38‰ in 2004 to 0.95‰ in 2013 (p = 0.002). Reduction started in 2008 for neonates with 32-41 weeks, in 2009 for 28-31 weeks, and in 2011 for 22-27 weeks. Median time until 50% of deaths occurred was 25.3 h (95%CI: 24.0; 27.2). Variables independently associated with higher risk of death were < 7 prenatal visits, 1st minute Apgar score 0-3, and death at the same place of birth. Cesarean delivery compared to vaginal was protective against death with perinatal asphyxia for infants at 28-36 weeks., Conclusions: There was an expressive reduction in neonatal mortality rates associated with perinatal asphyxia during this 10-year period in São Paulo State, Brazil. Variables associated with these deaths highlight the need of public health policies to improve quality of regionalized perinatal care.

Background: Factors associated with low birth weight at term (TLBW), a proxy for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), are not well-elucidated in socioeconomically vulnerable populations. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with TLBW in impoverished Brazilian women., Methods: Records in the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort database were linked to those in the National System of Information on Live Births (SINASC) to obtain obstetric, maternal, birth and socioeconomic data between 2001 and 2015. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate associations between variables of exposure and TLBW., Results: Of 8,768,930 term live births analyzed, 3.7% presented TLBW. The highest odds of TLBW were associated with female newborns (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.47-1.50), whose mothers were black (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.18-1.22), had a low educational level (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.53-1.62), were aged ≥35 years (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.43-1.46), had a low number of prenatal care visits (OR: 2.48; 95% CI: 2.42-2.54) and were primiparous (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.60-1.64). Lower odds of TLBW were found among infants whose mothers lived in the North, Northeast and Center-West regions of Brazil compared to those in the South., Conclusion: Multiple aspects were associated with TLBW, highlighting the need to comprehensively examine the mechanisms underlying these factors, especially in more vulnerable Brazilian populations, in order to contribute to the elaboration of health policies and promote better conditions of life for poor and extremely poor mothers and children.

Robust epidemiological and biological evidence supports a causal link between prenatal Zika Virus (ZIKV) infection and congenital brain abnormalities including microcephaly. However, it remains uncertain if ZIKV infection in pregnancy also increases the risk for other adverse fetal and birth outcomes. In a prospective cohort study we investigated the influence of ZIKV on the prevalence of prematurity, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age, and fetal death as well as microcephaly (i.e., overall and disproportionate) in the offspring of women attending a high-risk pregnancy clinic during the recent ZIKV outbreak in Brazil. During the recruitment period (01 March 2016-23 August 2017), urine samples were tested for ZIKV by RT-PCR from all women attending the high-risk pregnancy clinic at Jundiaí University Hospital and from the neonates after delivery. Of the 574 women evaluated, 44 (7.7%) were ZIKV RT-PCR positive during pregnancy. Of the 409 neonates tested, 19 (4.6%) were ZIKV RT-PCR positive in the first 10 days of life. In this cohort, maternal ZIKV exposure was not associated with increased risks of prematurity, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age, or fetal death. However, relative to ZIKV-negative neonates, ZIKV-positive infants had a five-fold increased risk of microcephaly overall (RR 5.1, 95% CI 1.2-22.5) and a ten-fold increased risk of disproportionate microcephaly (RR 10.3, 95% CI 2.0-52.6). Our findings provide new evidence that, in a high-risk pregnancy cohort, ZIKV RT-PCR positivity in the neonate at birth is strongly associated with microcephaly. However, ZIKV infection during pregnancy does not appear to influence the risks of prematurity, low birth weight, small-for-gestational-age or fetal death in women who already have gestational comorbidities. The results suggest disproportion between neonatal head circumference and weight may be a useful screening indicator for the detection of congenital microcephaly associated with ZIKV infection.

Introduction: Newborn care is an important factor associated with hospitalization and neonatal mortality., Objective: To analyze factors associated with hospitalization and neonatal mortality of newborns (NBs) admitted to the Unified Health System (SUS), São Paulo, 2012., Methods: A cohort of NBs from the SUS was obtained by linking data: SUS Hospital Information System, Live Birth Information System, Mortality Information System and National Health Facility Registry. Poisson and Cox regression were performed., Results: 16.5% (9,127) of the NBs were hospitalized, 4.7% (2,613) were admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and 11.8% (6,514) to a Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit (NIMCU). Maternal age ≥ 35 years (RR = 1.1, IC95% 1.1 - 1.2), inadequate prenatal care (RR = 1.2, IC95% 1.1 - 1.3), hospitalization for obstetric complications (RR = 1.1, IC95% 1.1 - 1.2), prematurity (≤ 32 weeks: RR = 1.6, IC95% 1.5 - 1.8; 32 to 36 weeks: RR = 1.7, IC95% 1.6 - 1,7), low weight (< 1,500 g: RR = 2.4, IC95% 2.1 - 2.6; 1,500 to 2,499 g: RR = 2.6, IC95% 2.5 - 2.7), APGAR 5º < 7 (RR = 1.9, IC95% 1.7 - 2.0), Cesarean section (RR = 1.1, IC95% 1.1 - 1.2) and Congenital Malformation (RR = 1.4, IC95% 1.3 - 1,5) were associated with the hospitalization of newborns. Neonatal mortality was associated with infants under 1,500 g (RR = 9.1, IC95% 6.3 - 13.1), very premature (RR = 2.6, IC95% 1.9 - 3.5), low APGAR (RR = 5.5, IC95% 4.6 - 6.7)., Conclusion: Inadequate prenatal care, prematurity and low weight were risk factors for hospitalization and neonatal mortality.

Purpose: The Jundiaí Zika Cohort (JZC) is a prospective pregnancy and birth cohort setup in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, to investigate the epidemic of cases of microcephaly and other neurological disorders, presumed to be associated with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection., Participants: A total of 748 women with high-risk pregnancies were recruited in the period of March 2016 to August 2017., Findings to Date: Baseline sociodemographic and medical data were collected at recruitment from 737 pregnant women. Biological samples (ie, blood, saliva and urine) were collected from 695 of the pregnant women (94.3%), of whom 53 (7.6%) were ZIKV-positive on subsequent testing by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in urine. Biological sample (ie, blood, saliva, urine and cerebrospinal fluid) were collected within 10 days of birth from 409 (57.4%) of the liveborn infants, of whom 19 (4.6%) were ZIKV-positive on subsequent testing by RT-PCR in urine. All remaining biological specimens, as well as colostrum, umbilical cord and placental samples, have been stored in a secure biorepository. Antenatal and postnatal imaging studies and neonatal anthropometry were carried out., Future Plans: The JZC provides a unique data set which will continue to be explored to study the effects of pregnancy comorbidities on Zika virus infection during pregnancy, the long-term outcomes of children with congenital Zika infection and how physiotherapy and group interventions can improve outcomes for congenitally-infected children. All women in the cohort have reached the end of their pregnancy and currently the oldest children are 2 years old. The study will continue until all the children reach their third birthday (April 2021)., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: The Jirau hydroelectric power plant built in Rondônia state has environmental impacts that could be relevant to rabies outbreaks., Methods: Bat populations were monitored for rabies by fluorescent antibody testing and simplified fluorescent inhibition microtesting between 2010 and 2015., Results: All 1,183 bats tested negative for rabies. The prevalence of rabies antibodies was 17.5% in 1,049 bats., Conclusions: The rabies antibody dosage was not reactive in samples collected before the environmental changes, and there was a progressive increase in subsequent collections that could indicate an increase in rabies virus circulation among bats and risk of a rabies outbreak.

Objectives: Dengue is the most common viral mosquito-borne disease, and women of reproductive age who live in or travel to endemic areas are at risk. Little is known about the effects of dengue during pregnancy on birth outcomes. The objective of this study is to examine the effect of maternal dengue severity on live birth outcomes., Design and Setting: We conducted a population-based cohort study using routinely collected Brazilian data from 2006 to 2012., Participating: We linked birth registration records and dengue registration records to identify women with and without dengue during pregnancy. Using multinomial logistic regression and Firth method, we estimated risk and ORs for preterm birth (<37 weeks' gestation), low birth weight (<2500 g) and small for gestational age (<10thcentile). We also investigated the effect of time between the onset of the disease and each outcome., Results: We included 16 738 000 live births. Dengue haemorrhagic fever was associated with preterm birth (OR=2.4; 95% CI 1.3 to 4.4) and low birth weight (OR=2.1; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.0), but there was no evidence of effect for small for gestational age (OR=2.1; 95% CI 0.4 to 12.2). The magnitude of the effects was higher in the acute disease period., Conclusion: This study showed an increased risk of adverse birth outcomes in women with severe dengue during pregnancy. Medical intervention to mitigate maternal risk during severe acute dengue episodes may improve outcomes for infants born to exposed mothers., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ.)

Objective: To analyze the mortality trend of children under five years of age living in Brazil and regions, using the "Brazilian List of Preventable Causes of Death.", Method: Ecological time-series study of mortality rate due to preventable and non-preventable causes, with corrections for ill-defined causes and underreporting of deaths from 2000 to 2013., Results: In Brazil, preventable death rates (5.1% per year) had a higher decrease compared with non-preventable ones (2.5% per year). Preventable causes associated with proper care during pregnancy had the highest concentration of deaths in 2013 (12,267) and the second lowest average percentage reduction in the year (2.1%) and for the period (24.4%). The South and Southeast regions had the lowest mortality rates in childhood. However, the Northeast region had the highest decrease in reducible child mortality (6.1% per year) and the Midwest, the lowest (3.5% per year)., Conclusion: The decrease in childhood mortality rates was expected in the last decade, suggesting the progress in the response of health systems, in addition to improvements in health conditions and social determinants. Special attention should be given to pregnancy-related causes, i.e., expand the quality of prenatal care, in particular, due to fetal and newborn deaths resulted from maternal conditions, which increased significantly in the period (8,3% per year).

This study proposed the application of structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate variables associated with preterm birth based on a theoretical model analyzed previously by hierarchical logistic regression. The data came from a population-based case-control observational study of hospital births to mothers residing in Londrina, Paraná State, Brazil (June 2006 to March 2007). For the SEM, the study considered the association between socioeconomic characteristics and psychosocial aspects pertaining to reproductive history, work and physical activity, complications during the pregnancy, and fetal characteristics. It also considered the relationship between these associations and the outcome preterm birth mediated by adequacy of prenatal care. The weighted least square mean and variance adjusted estimator (WLSMV) was used for categorical data and robust maximum likelihood (MLR) for odds ratios. Three latent variables were created: socioeconomic vulnerability, family vulnerability, and unwanted pregnancy. The effect of socioeconomic and family vulnerability and unwanted pregnancy on prematurity occurred indirectly through inadequacy of prenatal care. The proposed methodology allowed using constructs, verifying the role of mediation by inadequacy of prenatal care, and identifying the variables' direct and indirect effects on the outcome preterm birth.

Objectives: To analyze the mortality trend in the Brazilian population aged between 5 and 69 years old, using the "Brazilian List of Causes of Preventable Deaths"., Methods: This is an ecological study that uses a time-series analysis of the standardized mortality rate for preventable and unpreventable causes in the period from 2000 to 2013, with corrections for ill-defined causes and the under-reporting of informed deaths., Results: There was a decline in the mortality rate in the Brazilian population aged 5 to 69 due to preventable causes (1.6% per year) and unpreventable causes (1.4% per year), in addition to a decrease among all of the groups of causes of preventable deaths in the period from 2000 - 2013. The study draws attention to the increase in deaths from specific causes such as pneumonia (1.9% per year) and transportation accidents (0.6% per year), as well the stability in the number of deaths from aggression and intentional self-harm. Deaths from noncommunicable diseases fell by 2.2% per year and were highest in the age group of 60 - 69 years old in 2013 (209.9/100,000 inhabitants for ischemic heart disease deaths, 157.2/100,000 inhabitants for cerebrovascular diseases and 116.8/100,000 inhabitants for diabetes)., Conclusion: The rates of preventable deaths are still high, especially for noncommunicable diseases and external causes. These causes of death are sensitive to health promotion interventions and, therefore, this study reinforces the need to remain focused on these causes of illness and death, as well as their risk factors.

Objective: to describe characteristics of the Mortality Information System (SIM) in municipalities of São Paulo State, in 2015., Methods: descriptive study with data collected through an electronic questionnaire, with questions on the profile of technical managers, human resources and IT structure., Results: 584/645 municipalities (90.5%) participated; technical managers were mainly women (81.5%), nurses (64.9%), career civil servants (66.1%) and had more than 3 years of work experience with SIM (68.2%); in small-sized municipalities (≤30,000 inhabitants), managers were younger (average age of 37.7 years), were also responsible for other systems (92.4%) and used computers with older operating systems (69.5%); in large-sized municipalities (>200,000 inhabitants), managers were older (average age of 47.1 years) and had higher education level (86.5% with higher education degree), they had fast-access internet (83.8%) and in-house technical support (81.1%)., Conclusion: the technical managers' profile and availability of technological resources used at SIM were different according to population size of the municipalities.

Aim: To compare the influence of devices for manual ventilation and individual experience on the applied respiratory mechanics and sustained lung inflation., Methods: A total of 114 instructors and non-instructors from the Neonatal Resuscitation Program of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics participated in this study. Participants ventilated an intubated manikin. To evaluate respiratory mechanics and sustained lung inflation parameters, a direct comparison was made between the self-inflating bag and the T-shaped resuscitator (T-piece), followed by an analysis of the effectiveness of the equipment according to the participants' education and training., Results: A difference between equipment types was observed for the tidal volume, with a median (interquartile range) of 28.5 mL (12.6) for the self-inflating bag and 20.1 mL (8.4) for the T-piece in the instructor group and 31.6 mL (14) for the self-inflating bag and 22.3 mL (8.8) for the T-piece in the non-instructor group. Higher inspiratory time values were observed with the T-piece in both groups of professionals, with no significant difference between them. The operator's ability to maintain the target pressure over the 10 seconds of sustained lung inflation was evaluated using the area under the pressure-time curve and was 1.7-fold higher with the use of the T-piece. Inspiratory pressure and mean airway pressure applied during sustained lung inflation were greater with the self-inflating bag, as evaluated between the beginning and the end of the procedure., Conclusion: The T-piece resulted in lower tidal volume and higher inspiratory time values, irrespective of the operator's experience, and increased the ease of performing the sustained lung inflation maneuver, as demonstrated by the maintenance of target pressure for the desired period and a higher mean airway pressure than that obtained using the self-inflating bag.

Objective: To estimate the costs of hospitalization in premature infants exposed or not to antenatal corticosteroids (ACS)., Method: Retrospective cohort analysis of premature infants with gestational age of 26-32 weeks without congenital malformations, born between January of 2006 and December of 2009 in a tertiary, public university hospital. Maternal and neonatal demographic data, neonatal morbidities, and hospital inpatient services during the hospitalization were collected. The costs were analyzed using the microcosting technique., Results: Of 220 patients that met the inclusion criteria, 211 (96%) charts were reviewed: 170 newborns received at least one dose of antenatal corticosteroid and 41 did not receive the antenatal medication. There was a 14-37% reduction of the different cost components in infants exposed to ACS when the entire population was analyzed, without statistical significance. Regarding premature infants who were discharged alive, there was a 24-47% reduction of the components of the hospital services costs for the ACS group, with a significant decrease in the length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). In very-low birth weight infants, considering only the survivors, ACS promoted a 30-50% reduction of all elements of the costs, with a 36% decrease in the total cost (p=0.008). The survivors with gestational age <30 weeks showed a decrease in the total cost of 38% (p=0.008) and a 49% reduction of NICU length of stay (p=0.011)., Conclusion: ACS reduces the costs of hospitalization of premature infants who are discharged alive, especially those with very low birth weight and <30 weeks of gestational age., (Copyright © 2015 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of early deaths associated with birth asphyxia of very low birth weight infants between 2005 and 2010, in Brazil., Study Design: This population study enrolled all live births with birth weight from 400 to 1499 g, gestational age ⩾ 22 weeks, without malformations that died up to 6 days after birth with perinatal asphyxia. Asphyxia was defined if intrauterine hypoxia, asphyxia at birth or meconium aspiration syndrome were written in any line of the death certificate. Active search was carried out in 27 Brazilian federative units., Result: For every 1000 live births of very low birth weight infants without congenital malformations, 40.25 and 32.38 died with birth asphyxia in the first week after birth, respectively, in 2005 and 2010 (P<0.001). The contribution of birth asphyxia to early neonatal death of these infants was approximately 10 to 12% all study years., Conclusion: Reduction of birth asphyxia in very low birth weight infants is essential to reducing neonatal mortality in Brazil.

Background: Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units frequently receive red blood cells (RBC) transfusions due to the anemia of prematurity. A number of variables related to gestational age, severity of illness and transfusion practices adopted in the neonatal unit where the neonate was born may contribute to the prescription of RBC transfusions. This study aimed to analyse the frequency and factors associated with RBC transfusions in very-low-birth-weight preterm infants., Methods: A prospective cohort of 4283 preterm infants (gestational age: 29.9 ± 2.9 weeks; birth weight: 1084 ± 275 g) carried out at 16 university hospitals in Brazil between January 2009 and December 2011 was analysed. Factors associated with RBC transfusions were evaluated using univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: A total of 2208 (51.6%) infants received RBC transfusions (variation per neonatal unit: 34.1% to 66.4%). RBC transfusions were significantly associated with gestational age (OR: -1.098; 95%CI: -1.12 to -1.04), SNAPPE II score (1.01; 1.00-1.02), apnea (1.69; 1.34-2.14), pulmonary hemorrhage (2.65; 1.74-4.031), need for oxygen at 28 days of life (1.56; 1.17-2.08), clinical sepsis (3.22; 2.55-4.05), necrotising enterocolitis (3.80; 2.26-6.41), grades III/IV intraventricular hemorrhage (1.64; 1.05-2.58), mechanical ventilation (2.27; 1.74-2.97), use of umbilical catheter (1.86; 1.35-2.57), parenteral nutrition (2.06; 1.27-3.33), >60 days of hospitalization (5.29; 4.02-6.95) and the neonatal unit where the neonate was born., Conclusions: The frequency of RBC transfusions varied among neonatal intensive care units. Even after adjusting for adverse health conditions and therapeutic interventions, the neonatal unit continued to influence transfusion practices in very-low birth-weight infants.

Aims: To determine the infant mortality of newborns with 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of 0-3., Results: Population cohort study with neonates with birth weight ≥400 g, gestational age ≥22 weeks and 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of 0-3, without malformations, born in São Paulo State (Brazil) from January 2006 to December 2007. Apgar scores were confirmed in the original certificates of live births and/or medical records. During this period, among 1,027,132 live births, 1640 met the study criteria, with an incidence of 1.6 per 1000 live births. When the 5-min Apgar score was 0, 1, 2 and 3, the infant mortality rate was 97%, 94%, 64% and 47%, respectively. Risk factors associated with infant deaths were 5-min Apgar score of 0 or 1 [odds ratio (OR) 16.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1-24.8], birth weight <2500 g (OR 7.5, 95% CI 5.7-9.8), birth at hospitals outside the state capital (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3), in private or charitable hospitals (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.0), and during the night shift (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0-1.7)., Conclusions: For infants with 1- and 5-min Apgar scores of 0-3, the infant mortality is high. Besides the biological variables associated with the chance of dying, the organization of the perinatal care influences the outcome.

Background: There is a global growing trend of preterm births and a decline trend of fetal deaths. Is there an impact of the decline of fetal mortality on the increase of preterm live births in State of Sao Paulo, Brazil?, Methods: The time trends were evaluated by gestational age through exponential regression analysis. Data analyzed included the fetal mortality ratio, proportion of preterm live births, fertility rate of women 35 years and over, prenatal care, mother's education, multiple births and cesarean section deliveries. A survival analysis was carried out for 2000 and 2010., Results: Preterm births showed the highest annual increase (3.2%) in the less than 28 weeks of gestation group and fetal mortality ratio decreased (7.4%) in the same gestational age group. There was an increase of cesarean section births and it was higher in the < 28 weeks group (6.1%). There was a decreased annual trend of mothers with inadequate prenatal care (6.1%) and low education (8.8%) and an increased trend in multiple births and fertility rates of women of 35 years and over. The variables were highly correlated to which other over time. In 2000, 8.2% of all pregnancies resulted in preterm births (0.9% in fetal deaths and 7.3% in live births). In 2010, the preterm birth increased to 9.4% (0.8% were preterm fetal deaths and 8.6% preterm live births)., Conclusions: The results suggest that 45.2% could be the maximum contribution of successful interventions to prevent a fetal death on the increase in preterm live births. This increasing trend is also related to changes of the women reproductive profile with the change of the women reproductive profile and access to prenatal care.

Background: In Brazil, the prevalence of prematurity has increased in recent years and it is a major cause of death in the neonatal period. Therefore, this study aims at assessing perinatal factors associated with early neonatal deaths in very low birth weight preterm infants born in a region of Brazil with low Human Development Index., Methods: Prospective cohort study of inborns with gestational age 23(0/7)-31(6/7) weeks and birthweight 500-1499 g without malformations in 19 public reference hospitals of the state capitals of Brazil's Northeast Region. Perinatal variables associated with early neonatal death were determined by Cox regression analysis., Result: Among 627 neonates, 179 (29%) died with 0-6 days after birth. Early death was associated to: absence of antenatal steroids (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.11-2.27), multiple gestation (1.95; 1.28-3.00), male sex (2.01; 1.40-2.86), 5th minute Apgar <7 (2.93; 2.03-4.21), birthweight <1000 g (2.58; 1.70-3.88), gestational age <28 weeks (2.07; 1.42-3.02), use of surfactant (1.65; 1.04-2.59), and non-use of a pain scale (1.89; 1.24-2.89)., Conclusion: Biological variables and factors related to the quality of perinatal care were associated with the high chance of early death of preterm infants born in reference hospitals of Northeast Brazil.

Background: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants., Aim: To determine the incidence, risk factors and etiology of LOS., Methods: LOS was investigated in a multicenter prospective cohort of infants at eight public university neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Inclusion criteria included inborn, 23-33 weeks of gestational age, 400-1499 g birth weight, who survived >3 days., Results: Of 1507 infants, 357 (24%) had proven LOS and 345 (23%) had clinical LOS. Infants with LOS were more likely to die. The majority of infections (76%) were caused by Gram-positive organisms. Independent risk factors for proven LOS were use of central venous catheter and mechanical ventilation, age at the first feeding and number of days on parenteral nutrition and on mechanical ventilation., Conclusion: LOS incidence and mortality are high in Brazilian VLBW infants. Most risk factors are associated with routine practices at NICU., (© The Author [2014]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

This study examined factors related to birth weight in a maternity hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is a descriptive, sectional study conducted in the Herculano Pinheiro Maternity Hospital (HMHP) in Rio de Janeiro between December 2008 and February 2009, with postpartum mothers between 20 and 34 years of age. The chi-square test, the Student's t test and the logistical regression model were applied. 14.6% of the infants had low birth weight (less than 2500 g). There was a negative correlation between birth weight and smoking habits of the mother. The pre-pregnancy weight, maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and number of pre-natal visit variables were positively associated with birth weight. Multiple regression analysis indicated maternal age as being a risk factor for low birth weight. The conclusion reached is that the marital status situation, where this was perceived as an important variable, as well as the number of prenatal visits, which in group analysis showed no statistical significance, deserve further investigation together with other studies.

Objective: To evaluate intervention practices associated with hypothermia at both 5 minutes after birth and at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and to determine whether hypothermia at NICU admission is associated with early neonatal death in preterm infants., Study Design: This prospective cohort included 1764 inborn neonates of 22-33 weeks without malformations admitted to 9 university NICUs from August 2010 through April 2012. All centers followed neonatal International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation recommendations for the stabilization and resuscitation in the delivery room (DR). Variables associated with hypothermia (axillary temperature <36.0 °C) 5 minutes after birth and at NICU admission, as well as those associated with early death, were analyzed by logistic regression., Results: Hypothermia 5 minutes after birth and at NICU admission was noted in 44% and 51%, respectively, with 6% of early neonatal deaths. Adjusted for confounding variables, practices associated with hypothermia at 5 minutes after birth were DR temperature <25 °C (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.67-2.28), maternal temperature at delivery <36.0 °C (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.49-2.51), and use of plastic bag/wrap (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.40-0.70). The variables associated with hypothermia at NICU admission were DR temperature <25 °C (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.10-1.88), respiratory support with cold air in the DR (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.03-1.88) and during transport to NICU (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.08-2.13), and cap use (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.39-0.78). Hypothermia at NICU admission increased the chance of early neonatal death by 1.64-fold (95% CI 1.03-2.61)., Conclusion: Simple interventions, such as maintaining DR temperature >25 °C, reducing maternal hypothermia prior to delivery, providing plastic bags/wraps and caps for the newly born infants, and using warm resuscitation gases, may decrease hypothermia at NICU admission and improve early neonatal survival., (Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

The scope of this study is to evaluate the spatial distribution of live births (LB) in the Municipality of São Paulo (MSP), verify if there is spatial dependence, identify possible differences in birth profiles and evaluate the distances between homes and delivery hospitals. LB occurring in high complexity hospitals were studied, namely 4 from the Unified Health System (SUS) and 4 from the private network in MSP in 2008. 46,190 LB were geocoded: 48.8% from SUS hospitals and 51.2% from private hospitals, accounting for 27.9% of total live births in MSP. LB in SUS hospitals formed two clusters, with a high proportion of households with incomes of 1/2 to 2MW and a marked number of shantytowns and high birth rates. LB in private hospitals formed a cluster in the central region of MSP, where there is a high proportion of households with > 10 MW income and a low birth rate. Differences in maternal, pregnancy and childbirth characteristics were statistically significant in SUS and non-SUS hospitals, as well as the frequency of multiple births. There was no difference in the prevalence of low birth weight and pre-term births. The results showed differences in the LB cluster profile reflecting the current inequalities in living conditions.

Few studies have analyzed the SINASC (Live Birth Information System) and MIS (Mortality Information System) applying qualitative methodology seeking to understand data production processes and contexts. This article aims to study the social representation of health professionals about Live Birth Certificates (LBC) and perinatal Death Certificates (DC). A total of 24 interviews were conducted with nurses and other professionals of 16 Unified Health System (SUS) and non-SUS hospitals of the city of São Paulo in 2009. Qualitative methodology was adopted along with the Collective Subject Discourse technique. Professionals acknowledged that they are an integral part of the information production process of SINASC and their reports indicate that they incorporate it in their work routine. They also perceive that training activities are a tool to understand the information produced by them and are aware of the utility of LBC information. Although physicians are legally responsible for the DC, other professionals frequently provide some of the information to complete it. The professionals see themselves as participants of the SINASC. Despite providing information to complete the DC, they do not see themselves as participants of the MIS operation.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the anthropometric changes in a home-based cohort of Brazilian older adults who participated in the SABE Survey, conducted in 2000 and 2006. A total of 1030 men and women were examined by age group: 60-69, 70-79, and ≥80 years. This representative sample consists of the survivors of the 2000 cohort. The following anthropometric variables were assessed: body mass, arm muscle, waist and calf circumferences, triceps skinfold thickness, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and arm muscle area according to mean values and percentile distribution. Except for body mass and body mass index, a significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed among the assessed anthropometric variables during the follow-up period. The older adults ≥80 years presented the lowest values. The reduction in the mean values of triceps skinfold thickness was greater (30%) than that of waist circumference (9%) and was more pronounced in women (21%) than in men (9%). Arm muscle circumference and area reduced by 8% and 19%, respectively, in men and 1% and 3%, correspondingly, in women. Our findings revealed reductions in the mean values for all anthropometric variables in the follow-up period from 2000 to 2006 among older adults.

Objective: To compare the epidemiological profile of avoidable early neonatal deaths associated with perinatal asphyxia according to region of death in the State of São Paulo, Brazil., Methods: Population-based cohort study including 2,873 avoidable deaths up to six days of life associated with perinatal asphyxia from January 2001 to December 2003. Perinatal asphyxia was considered if intrauterine hypoxia, birth asphyxia, or meconium aspiration syndrome were written in any line of the original Death Certificate. Epidemiological data were also extracted from the Birth Certificate., Results: During the three years, 1.71 deaths per 1,000 live births were associated with perinatal asphyxia, which corresponded to 22% of the early neonatal deaths. From the 2,873 avoidable deaths, 761 (27%) occurred in São Paulo city; 640 (22%), in the metropolitan region of São Paulo city; and 1,472 (51%), in the countryside of the state. In the first two regions, deaths were more frequent in public hospitals, among newborns with gestational age of 36 weeks or less, and among babies weighing less than 2500g. In the countryside, mortality was more frequent in philanthropic hospitals, in term newborns and in neonates weighing over 2500g. Most of these neonates were born during daytime in their hometown and died at the same institution in which they were born within the first 24 hours after delivery. Meconium aspiration syndrome was related to 18% of the deaths., Conclusions: Perinatal asphyxia is a frequent contributor to the avoidable early neonatal death in the state with the highest gross domestic product per capita in Brazil, and it shows the need for specific interventions with regionalized focus during labor and birth care.

Objective: To verify, in extremely preterm infants, if disagreement between obstetricians and neonatologists regarding proactive management is associated with early death., Study Design: Prospective cohort of 484 infants with 23(0/7) to 26(6/7) weeks, without malformations, born from January 2006 to December 2009 in eight Brazilian hospitals. Pro-active management was defined as indication of ≥1 dose of antenatal steroid or cesarean section (obstetrician) and resuscitation at birth according to the international guidelines (neonatologist). Main outcome was neonatal death in the first 24  h of life., Result: Obstetricians and neonatologists disagreed in 115 (24%) patients: only neonatologists were proactive in 107 of them. Disagreement between professionals increased 2.39 times the chance of death in the first day (95% confidence interval 1.40 to 4.09), adjusted for center and maternal/neonatal clinical conditions., Conclusion: In infants with 23 to 26 weeks of gestation, disagreement between obstetricians and neonatologists, translated as lack of antenatal steroids and/or vaginal delivery, despite resuscitation procedures, increases the odds of death in the first day.

A case-control study (2008-2009) analyzed risk factors for preterm birth in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil. A total of 341 preterm births and 424 controls were included. A multiple logistic regression model was used. Risk factors for preterm birth were: previous history of preterm birth (OR = 2.32; 95%CI: 1.25-4.29), maternal age (OR = 2.00; 95%CI: 1.00-4.03), inadequate prenatal care (OR = 2.15; 95%CI: 1.40-3.27), inadequate maternal weight gain (OR = 2.33; 95%CI: 1.45-3.75), maternal physical injury (OR = 2.10; 95%CI: 1.22-3.60), hypertension with eclampsia (OR = 17.08; 95%CI: 3.67-79.43) and without eclampsia (OR = 6.42; 95%CI: 3.50-11.76), hospitalization (OR = 5.64; 95%CI: 3.47-9.15), altered amniotic fluid volume (OR = 2.28; 95%CI: 1.32-3.95), vaginal bleeding (OR = 1.54; 95%CI: 1.01-2.34), and multiple gestation (OR = 22.65; 95%CI: 6.22-82.46). High and homogeneous prevalence of poverty and low maternal schooling among both cases and controls may have contributed to the fact that socioeconomic variables did not remain significantly associated with preterm birth.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the association between diarrhea in 0-2 year-old children and children's characteristics, access to sanitation and housing conditions in a periurban area served by the Family Health Program, in the city of Guarulhos, SP. Data were obtained from FHP registration forms. Multiple logistic regression showed interaction for Housing*Sewage (other materials and non collected wastewater, p < 0.001), age group (4-9 months old, p = 0.054; 10 months and older, p = 0.008) as risk factors for diarrhea. Information collected by the Family Health Program could be an excellent tool to identify populations with poor housing and sanitation conditions at locations where sanitation indicators are not efficient to identify populations living at risk.

Objective: To evaluate the quality of information registered on fetal death certificates., Methods: Records were reviewed from 710 fetal deaths registered in the consolidated database of deaths from the State System for Data Analysis and the São Paulo State Secretary of Health, for deaths in São Paulo municipality (Southeastern Brazil) during the first semester of 2008. Completeness was analyzed for variables on fetal death certificates issued by hospitals and autopsy service. The death certificates from a sub-sample of 212 fetal deaths in hospitals of the National Unified Health System (public) were compared to medical records and to the records from Coroners Office., Results: Among death certificates, 75% were issues by Coroners Office, with a greater frequency in public hospitals (78%). Completeness of variables on death certificates issued by hospitals was higher among non-public hospitals. There was greater completeness, agreement and sensitivity in death certificates issued by hospitals. There was low agreement and high specificity for variables related to maternal characteristics. Increased reporting of gender, birth weight and gestational age was observed in certificates issued by Coroners Office. Autopsies did not result in improved ascertainment of cause of death, with 65.7% identified as unspecified fetal death as 24.3% as intrauterine hypoxia, while death certificates by hospitals reported 18.1% as unspecified and 41.7% as intrauterine hypoxia., Conclusions: Completeness and the ascertainment of cause of fetal death need to be improved. The high proportion of autopsies did not improve information and ascertainment of cause of death. The quality of information generated by autopsies depends on access to hospital records.

Objective: Analyze factors associated with clinical complications during intra-hospital transport of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients., Methods: Prospective study of 641 infants submitted to 1197 intra-hospital transports at a public university NICU. Factors associated with clinical complications during intra-hospital transports were studied by multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: Included infants had a mean gestational age of 35.1 ± 3.8 weeks and a birth weight of 2328 ± 906 g. Underline diseases were: malformations (71.9%), infections (7.6%), respiratory distress (4.1%) and others (16.4%). Patients were transported for surgical procedures (22.6%), magnetic resonance (10.6%), tomography imaging (20.9%), contrasted exams (18.2%), ultrasound (10.4%) and others (17.3%). Clinical complications occurred in 327 (27.3%) transports and were associated (odds ratio; 95% CI) with: central nervous system malformations (1.6; 95% CI 1.0-2.0); use of supplemental oxygen (4.0; 95% CI 2.8-5.6); mechanical ventilation (5.0; 95% CI 3.5-7.5); transport for surgeries (4.0; 95% CI 1.1-14.0) and duration of the transport longer than 120 min (1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.4)., Conclusions: Intra-hospital transports are associated with increased risk of clinical complications.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in preterm infants are associated with increased intra-hospital mortality., Study Design: Variables associated with death were studied with Cox regression analysis in a prospective cohort of preterm infants with birth weight <1500 g in the Brazilian Network on Neonatal Research. Intra-hospital death and death after 28 days of life were analyzed as dependent variables. Independent variables were infant demographic and clinical characteristics and RBC transfusions., Results: Of 1077 infants, 574 (53.3%) received at least one RBC transfusion during the hospital stay. The mean number of transfusions per infant was 3.3 ± 3.4, with 2.1 ± 2.1 in the first 28 days of life. Intra-hospital death occurred in 299 neonates (27.8%), and 60 infants (5.6%) died after 28 days of life. After adjusting for confounders, the relative risk of death during hospital stay was 1.49 in infants who received at least one RBC transfusion in the first 28 days of life, compared with infants who did not receive a transfusion. The risk of death after 28 days of life was 1.89 times higher in infants who received more than two RBC transfusions during their hospital stay, compared with infants who received one or two transfusions., Conclusion: Transfusion was associated with increased death, and transfusion guidelines should consider risks and benefits of transfusion., (Copyright © 2011 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The prevalence of preterm birth has increased in recent years and it is currently a worldwide public health problem. In any epidemiological study, the greatest challenge facing the study of preterm delivery is to standardize the measurement of gestational age births., Objective: To describe the methods used to define the sample under study and selection of events in case-control studies of risk factors for preterm birth in hospital births by mothers living in the city of Campina Grande (PB), Brazil., Methods: The design was a case-control population-based, which was conducted from June 2008 to May 2009. The cases were born at less than 37 weeks of gestation and controls at 37 weeks or more. Gestational age in weeks was defined using selection criteria based on the accuracy of the estimate. Interviews were conducted with mothers and collection of hospital records., Results: It was selected 341 cases and 424 controls, 13.19% were classified as extremely preterm (<28 weeks), 34.87% as very preterm (<33 weeks) and 65.10% as moderate preterm (33 to 36 weeks of gestation). Among controls, the percent of children born 37-39 weeks was 58.02 to 5.90% was born post term (>42 weeks)., Conclusion: The strategies shown to be viable, even in a context with major limitations in obtaining the necessary information, given that the profile of preterm infants, the distribution of gestational age were comparable to studies with more accurate methods.