[Graphic representation of the neonatal mortality risk at a regional perinatal center in Mérida, Yucatán, México].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the neonatal mortality risk according to gestational age and birth weight.


METHODS
The cohort consisted of 19,668 newborns of Centro Médico Nacional (National Medical Center) Ignacio García Téllez, a tertiary level healthcare institution of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (Mexican Institute of Social Security, IMSS) of the Yucatan Peninsula. All newborns discharged from the hospital between January 1st, 1995 and October 31st, 1999 were included in the study. Birth weight, gestational age, and conditions upon discharge were recorded. Absolute risk (AR) of mortality was calculated for each week-of-gestation- and birth group.


RESULTS
Observed AR in newborns 34 to 44 weeks of gestational age and weighing at least 2,250 g was 0.4, while that for those 26 to 32 weeks of gestational age and weighing between 1000 g was 15%.


CONCLUSIONS
AR of neonatal mortality increased inversely proportional to gestational age and birth weight. These data can be used as reference values for our hospital and for comparison with other hospitals. The English version of this paper is available at: http://www.insp.mx/salud/index.html.
Osorno-Covarrubias
Lorenzo
L
Departamento Clínico de Neonatología del Centro Médico Nacional Ignacio García Téllez del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mérida, Yucatán, México. l_osorno@pibil.finred.com.mx
Vela-Urtecho
Gabriela
G
Dávila-Velázquez
Jorge
J
D001724:Birth Weight; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003626:Data Display; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006768:Hospitals, Federal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D012015:Reference Standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D012943:Social Security