RISK-FACTORS FOR PERINATAL-MORTALITY IN AN URBAN AREA OF SOUTHERN BRAZIL, 1993

Introduction Although there was a considerable reduction in infant mor tality in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul in the last decade, its perinatal causes were reduced only by 28%. The associated factors of these caus es were analised. Material and Method All hospital births and perinata l deaths were assessed by daily visits to all the maternity hospitals in the city throughout 1993 and including the first week of 1994. Resu lts The perinatal mortality rate was 22.1 per thousand births. The mul tivariate analysis showed the following risk factors: low socioeconomi c level, male sex and maternal age above 35 years. Among multigravidae women, the fetal mortality rate was significantly increased for mothe rs with a previously low birthweight and a previous stillbirth. For ea rly neonatal mortality the risk was significantly increased by a small er number of antenatal visits than 5 and low birthweight. Conclusions Main risk factors for perinatal mortality: low socioeconomic level, ma ternal age above 35 years and male sex. For early neonatal mortality t he risk was significantly increased by a smaller number of antenatal v isits than 5 and low birthweight.