Abstract

DIAZ ELEJALDE, Yurima  and  ALONSO URIA, Rosa María. Infant mortality, an indicator of excellence . Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2008, vol.24, n.2. ISSN 0864-2125.

Infant mortality is an indicator of great importance for the Cuban National Health System and for the world. It is used to evaluate the health status of the population. A descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study was conducted aimed at characterizing the behavior of infant mortality in the municipality of Guanabacoa from January 1st, 2000 to June 30th, 2005. A sample of 48 deaths was studied through variables of the mother and the newborn obtained from the medical registries and histories. It was found that infant mortality rate in our municipality, mainly in the 4 initial years is irregular with a decreasing trend. The main causes of death are infections (37.5 %), sepsis (14.5 %), asphyxia (10.4 %) and congenital malformations (10.4 %). The affected maternal variables were the risk factors during pregnancy: maternal low weight, vaginal moniliasis, and iron-deficiency anemia. In the newborn, they were the early neonatal component and the male sex.

Keywords : Infant mortality; infant mortality rate; death causes.

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