Neonatal respiratory complications related to weight and gestational age in a maternity hospital

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.159482417014

• Palavras-chave: Neonatal respiratory complications; Birth weight; Gestational age; Child mortality; Prenatal.

• Keywords: Neonatal respiratory complications; Birth weight; Gestational age; Child mortality; Prenatal.

• Abstract:

  This study addresses the transformations that have occurred in obstetric and neonatal care due to scientific development, aiming to minimize mortality, especially in premature or low birth weight newborns. The objective is to understand the relationship between neonatal respiratory complications, weight and gestational age, identifying prevalence and main respiratory complications in a maternity hospital in southwest Goiás. Using a quantitative method and descriptive-analytical analysis, 1416 medical records from a maternity hospital were analyzed from January to December 2013. The majority of births occurred between the 38th and 40th week of pregnancy (83.5%). Of the newborns, 81.5% were appropriate for gestational age (AGA), 13.8% were small (SGA) and 3.7% were large (LGA). Respiratory complications occurred in 18.3% of cases, highlighting respiratory distress syndrome (11.80%), meconium aspiration syndrome (3.10%) and pneumonia (0.60%). The correlation between prenatal consultations and respiratory complications was significant (p=0.025), indicating a lower occurrence with more consultations. Correlations between respiratory complications, birth weight and gestational age were observed, indicating that lower weight and gestational age increase the likelihood of complications (p=0.000 and p=0.004, respectively). High rates of infant morbidity and mortality are linked to low birth weight newborns, representing a public health problem. Care practices to reduce births with GA and very low weight are essential, contributing to improving quality of life and reducing costs with specialized care. Promoting conditions conducive to the healthy development of newborns is crucial to improving neonatal health care.