PREVALENCE OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AND PREMATURITY AMONG LIVE BIRTHS IN BRAZIL FROM 2018 TO 2022

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the birth prevalence of congenital anomalies and the proportion of prematurity among live births in Brazil. A descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative approach was conducted. Secondary data from the Live Birth Information System (SINASC) were used, obtained from the Live Birth Monitoring Panel and the Monitoring Panel for Congenital Malformations, Deformities, and Chromosomal Anomalies. Data collection took place in February 2024, with analysis referring to the period from 2018 to 2022. The following variables were analyzed: reference year, gestational duration, anomalies, age, ethnicity, maternal education, start of prenatal care, number of consultations, type of pregnancy, and sex of the newborn. The results showed that prematurity affected 11.30% of births, with a slight upward trend during the investigated period. The prevalence of congenital anomalies was 0.88%, being higher among premature newborns (2.00%), especially between the 28th and 31st weeks of gestation. Musculoskeletal malformations were the most frequent. Low maternal education, extremes of age, and an insufficient number of prenatal consultations increased the risks of these conditions. It is concluded that reducing these conditions depends on public policies aimed at early and qualified prenatal care, especially among groups with greater social and biological vulnerability in Brazil.