IMPORTANCE OF PRENATAL CARE FOR MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN THE CONTEXT OF THE UNIFIED HEALTH SYSTEM (SUS): A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This paper investigates the importance of prenatal care for maternal and child health within the Unified Health System (SUS), emphasizing its contribution to reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality. It is a literature review conducted in the PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS databases, along with the analysis of official documents from the WHO and the Ministry of Health. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 41 articles were selected for the review, addressing the coverage and quality of prenatal care in Brazil. The bibliographic analysis showed that by providing regular and multiprofessional monitoring during pregnancy, prenatal care minimizes risks and promotes both gestational and neonatal health. The study highlights the role of the multiprofessional team in supporting pregnant women, particularly in preventing complications and ensuring a safe delivery. It concludes that prenatal care in SUS is crucial for ensuring accessible and quality care, although challenges persist, such as regional inequalities and access difficulties. These factors point to the need for public policies that strengthen primary care and improve the quality of services offered. Thus, prenatal care is an essential strategy that, by ensuring continuous and humanized care, contributes to the reduction of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, promoting the well-being of both the mother and the newborn.