QUALITY OF PRENATAL CARE AND MATERNAL-FETAL OUTCOMES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Prenatal care is a fundamental component of maternal and child health, contributing to the prevention and early identification of gestational complications and improving maternal and perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the available evidence regarding the quality of low-risk prenatal care and its association with maternal and perinatal outcomes. This is an integrative literature review conducted through comprehensive searches in the PubMed/MEDLINE and LILACS databases, including studies that evaluated the adequacy of prenatal care using recognized quality indicators and their relationship with obstetric and neonatal outcomes. After applying the eligibility criteria, 20 studies published between 1987 and 2026 were included in the analysis. The findings demonstrated that prenatal care adequacy has traditionally been assessed through indicators based on the timing of prenatal care initiation and the number of antenatal visits, such as the Kessner and Kotelchuck indices. More recent evidence emphasizes that the quality of prenatal care also depends on the content of consultations, the implementation of evidence-based clinical interventions, and the early identification and management of maternal risk factors. Overall, comprehensive and high-quality prenatal care was consistently associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings highlight the need for more comprehensive assessment tools that evaluate not only access to prenatal services but also the quality and completeness of care provided throughout pregnancy.