The frequency and characteristics of mothers and newborns associated with the admission of neonates to ICU in the municipality of Joinville, Santa Catarina - 2012

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of and factors associated with the admission of newborns to neonatal ICU in the municipality of Joinville, Santa Catarina. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted based on the records of live births (DNV) and admissions to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 2012. To evaluate associations between the explanatory variables and the outcome, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated with respective confidence intervals of 95% using the logistic regression technique. Results: the frequency of admission to NICU was 11.7% (9.69-13.7). Low birth weight (ORadj = 8.1 [6.3 – 10.3]), congenital deformity (ORadj = 6.0 [3.2 – 11.2]), a 5th minute Apgar score < 7 (ORadj = 5.7 [2.6 – 12.3]), prematurity (ORadj = 3.4 [(2.7 – 4.1]), male sex (ORaj = 1.5 [1.2 – 1.8]), public hospital (ORadj = 2.0 [1;6 – 2.4]), single mother (ORadj = 1.4 [1.2 – 1.7]), low level of education of mother (ORadj = 1.4 [1.2 – 1.7]) and < 7 prenatal consults (ORadj = 1.3[1.1 – 1.6]) were found to be risk factors for admission. Conclusions: the biological characteristics of the newborns associated with admission to neonatal intensive care units are susceptible to prevention, thereby demonstrating the importance of improving care for pregnant women and newborns.