title: Quality of antenatal care as a risk factor for early onset neonatal infections in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neonatal infection is a serious public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the antenatal care on the risk of early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection in two Brazilian maternities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study - Newborns admitted at two public neonatal intensive care units from 2008 to 2009 were included in the study. Data on antenatal and perinatal variables were collected from maternal prenatal cards and medical charts. Newborns were actively surveyed for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection, defined as a neonatal infection diagnosed within 48h after birth. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess variables independently associated with early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  561 neonate-mother pairs were included in the study. Early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection was diagnosed in 283 neonates (51%), an incidence rate of 43.5/1000 live births. Neonates whose mothers had less then six antenatal visits were under risk significantly higher for early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.11-2.57), after adjusting for birth weight, membranes ruptured for >18h, maternal complications during delivery, maternal infection at admission, and hospital where patients received care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The risk of neonatal early-onset neonatal healthcare associated infection was significantly associated with insufficient number of antenatal care visits. Further studies assessing the quality of antenatal care and targeting its improvement are warranted.
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Secretaria Estadual de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: B R
authors: BR
authors: Mizumoto
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: B M
authors: BM
authors: Moreira
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Infectious Diseases Clinic, Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Santoro-Lopes
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Cunha
authors: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: R M R dos
authors: RM
authors: Santos
authors: World Health Organization, Switzerland.
authors: C L
authors: CL
authors: Pessoa-Silva
authors: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: Azeredo A N
authors: AA
authors: Pinheiro
authors: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ferreira
authors: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Leobons
authors: Department of Preventive Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: cbhofer@hucff.ufrj.br.
authors: Cristina Barroso
authors: CB
authors: Hofer
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000592:standards*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Antenatal care; Early-onset healthcare associated infections; Newborn; Public maternity