Proporcionationality index in low birth weigth and its relation to neonatal mortality

Abstract

The study of the relation between low birthweight (LBW) and mortality neonatal is most important, not only to establish preventive action, but also to reduce the high percentage of BPN in populations of developing countries. A study was carried out with the purpose of verifying the influence of LBW in neonatal mortality, appraised through the Rohrer’s Ponderal Index (IR). The sample comprised all biological mothers and their children under 1 year of age being assisted for 5 days in 22 health units of Maringá municipality in 1998. The mothers total was 575. All children born weighing < 2500g (WHO) were considered LBW (low birthweight). The children with IR< 2,51 were considered disproportionate, and IR>=2,51 proportionate. From the total, 168(29,2%) of the children were considered disproportionate. For the children LBW the percentage was 76,5%. For the others groups with insufficient and adequate weight the percentage was 53,7% and 18,3%. For the total sample, the association between the IR and length < 47cm was 23,2% for high death risk for. For the LBW group, the percentage was 61,9%. The high index of the risk reinforce the need of implementing a prenatal service with the specific purpose of reduce the LBW percentages.