title: Epidemiological characteristics and deaths of premature infants in a referral hospital for high-risk pregnancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the process of care provided to premature infants in a neonatal intensive care unit and the factors associated with their mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional retrospective study of premature infants in an intensive care unit between 2008 and 2010. The characteristics of the mothers and premature infants were described, and a bivariate analysis was performed on the following characteristics: the study period and the "death" outcome (hospital, neonatal and early) using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test or a chi-square test for linear trends. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using a stepwise backward logistic regression method between the variables with p<0.20 and the "death" outcome. A p value <0.05 was considered to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 293 preterm infants were studied. Increased access to complementary tests (transfontanellar ultrasound and Doppler echocardiogram) and breastfeeding rates were indicators of improving care. Mortality was concentrated in the neonatal period, especially in the early neonatal period, and was associated with extreme prematurity, small size for gestational age and an Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes after birth. The late-onset sepsis was also associated with a greater chance of neonatal death, and antenatal corticosteroids were protective against neonatal and early deaths.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although these results are comparable to previous findings regarding mortality among premature infants in Brazil, the study emphasizes the need to implement strategies that promote breastfeeding and reduce neonatal mortality and its early component.
authors.forename: Brunnella Alcantara Chagas de
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Luciana Ferreira da Rocha
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Sant'ana
authors.forename: Giana Zarbato
authors.initials: GZ
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Siqueira-Batista
authors.forename: Silvia Eloiza
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Priore
authors.forename: Sylvia do Carmo Castro
authors.initials: Sdo C
authors.lastname: Franceschini
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